Question

A 13 ft ladder is resting on a wall. The angle the ladder makes with the floor is 45 degrees. How high off the ground is the top of the ladder?

Use the function y=13cos(theta) to find the answer

Answer 1

Answer: 9.19 ft

Explanation:

Hi, since the situation forms a right triangle (see attachment) we have to apply the next trigonometric function.

Sin α = opposite side / hypotenuse

Where α is the angle of elevation of the ladder to the ground, the hypotenuse is the longest side of the triangle (in this case is the length of the ladder), and the opposite side (x) is distance between the top of the ladder and the ground.

Replacing with the values given:

Sin 45 = x/ 13

Solving for x

sin45 (13) =x

x= 9.19 ft

Feel free to ask for more if needed or if you did not understand something.