Question

If the top of a 4.50 m ladder reaches twice as far up a vertical wall as the foot of the

ladder is out from the base of the wall, how far up the wall does the ladder reach?
Draw a diagram. Give your answer to two decimal places

Answer 1

4 m.

Explanation:

Length of ladder, L = 4.50 m

Base of ladder from the wall, B = x

Height of the wall, H = 2x

Using Pythagoras theorem

`L^2 = B^2 + H^2`

`4.5^2 = x^2 + (2x)^2`

`5x^2 = 4.5^2`

`x = 2\ m\ (approx.)`

Height of the wall is equal to 2 x 2 = 4 m.