Question

one ladder is 7.2 feet longer than another. each is placed on level ground with its lower ends 8.3 ft from the the foot of a vertical wall. the longer ladder reaches 9.1 ft farther up the wall. how long is the longer ladder?

Answer 1

If the longer ladder is x, and reaches up y feet on the wall, then

8.3^2 + y^2 = x^2
8.3^2 + (y-9.1)^2 = (x-7.2)^2

x = 17.9