Question

A building is 1ft from an 11 ft fence that surrounds the property. A worker wants to wash a window in the building 14ft from the ground. He plans to place a ladder over the fence so it rests against the building. He decided he should place the ladder 11ft from the fence for stability. To the nearest tenth of a foot, how long a ladder will he need?

Answer 1

L = 18,4 ft

Explanation:

The building, the ground, and the ladder make up a right triangle, with legs:

The distance (a) between the bottom of the ladder and the building 12 ft

The distance (b) between the gound and the window 14 ft up

The hypothenuse is the length of the ladder (L)

According to Pythagoras theorem

L² = a² + b²

L = √ (12)² + (14)²

L = √ 144 + 196

L = √ 340

L = 18,4 ft