Question

The bottom of a ladder must be placed 3 feet from a wall. The ladder is 12 feet long. How far above the ground does the ladder touch the wall? Pythagorean Theorem

Answer 1

a ≅ 11.6 ft

Explanation:

Pythagorean theorem

c²-b²=a²

c²-a²=b²

a²+b²=c²

Now since we're trying to find a leg we'll use the first equation

c²-b²=a²

Plug in the hypotenuse for c and the leg for b

12²-3²=a²

144-9=a²

135=a²

Now square root both sides

`√(135)` =
`\sqrt{a^(2) }`

`3√(15)`= a

a ≅ 11.6 ft