Question

A 50ft ladder rests against a wall so that the top of the ladder is 48ft. from the ground. As you start climbing the ladder slips and the top of the ladder drops 8ft. How far does the bottom of the ladder slide away from the wall? (From its original position.)

Answer 1

Original distance from wall --- x ft
x^2 + 48^2 = 50^2
x^2 = 2500 - 2304
x^2 = 196
x = √196 = 13 ft

New height above the ground = 40 ft
ladder is still 50 ft long
let the distance from the wall be y ft

repeat my calculations using the new values

(Looks like a serious accident is about to happen , a 50 ft ladder ??? )