Question

A 17-foot ladder is leaning against a building. The base of the ladder is 8 feet

from the base of the building. The side of the building and the ground form
a right angle as shown.

Enter the distance between the ground and the top of the ladder, x, in feet.

Answer 1

Pythagorean theorem:

x^2 = 17^2 - 8^2

x^2 = 225

x = sqrt(225) = 15

The distance is 15 ft

Answer 2

Solution given:

base=8ft

hypotenuse=17ft

perpendicular=?

By using Pythagoras law

hypotenuse ²=perpendicular ²+base²

17²=perpendicular ²+8²

perpendicular ²=17²-8²

perpendicular=
`√(225)=15`

the distance between the ground and the top of the ladder, x is 15ft.