Asked by Anonymous

A painter places an 8.5 ft ladder against a wall. The bottom of the ladder is 4 ft from the base of the wall. How high up the wall does the ladder reach? (hint: round to the nearest tenth)
Answered by Ms. Sue
a^2 + b^2 = c^2

4^2 + b^2 = 8.5^2

16 + b^2 = 72.25

b^2 = 56.25

b = 7.5 feet
Answered by Anonymous
It's 7.5 not 8 ft?
Answered by Ms. Sue
The square root of 56.25 = 7.5. That answer is to the nearest tenth.
Answered by Reiny
Very very unsafe placement of a ladder.
Answered by frank'kywon
a.
3 ft
c.
7.5 ft
b.
16 ft
d.
11.6 ft