Question

The base of a 40-foot ladder is placed 24 feet away from a wall. What is the

height of the wall if the other end of the ladder reaches the top of it?
A. 32 ft
B. 64 ft
C. 16 ft
D. 26 ft

Answer 1

A. 32 ft

Explanation:

Pythagoras for right-angled triangles (as that is what this is here - the floor from the base of the ladder to the wall, the wall up to where the ladder ends, and the ladder itself as the Hypotenuse).

c² = a² + b²

with c being the Hypotenuse (the side opposite of the 90 degree angle).

so, we know,

c = 40 ft

a = 24 ft

we are looking for B

=>

40² = 24² + b²

1600 = 576 + b²

1024 = b²

b = 32 ft