Question

While working on the roof of his house, John leans a 15 foot ladder against a second story window. If the distance on the ground between the base of the ladder and the house is nine feet, at what height does the ladder reach the second story window? In your final answer, include all necessary calculations.

Answer 1

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

9^2 + b^2 = 15^2

81 + b^2 = 225

b^2 = 144

b = 12 feet

Answer 2

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

9^2 + b^2 = 15^2

81 + b^2 = 225

b^2 = 144

b = 12 feet