Question

Approximately how much higher up the wall does the ladder in Figure 2 rest compared to the ladder in Figure 1?

A) 2 feet
B) 3 feet
C) 4 feet
D) 5 feet

Answer 1

1)

`{x}^(2) = {10}^(2) - {8}^(2) \\ {x}^(2) = 36 \\ x = 6`

2)

`{y}^(2) = {10}^(2) - {4}^(2) \\ {y}^(2) = 84 \\ y = √(84) \\ y = 2 √(21) \\ y = 9.165...`

Let's round y to 9

3)

9-6=3

Answer: B) 3 feet

Answer 2

Answer B, 3 feet

Explanation:

For the first ladder, the height of the ladder up the ladder can be found with the formula
`√(10^2-8^2)=6`. For the second ladder, you can use the same formula to find that the ladder is
`√(10^2-4^2)\approx 9`. 9-6=3, and therefore the correct answer choice is B.