Question

Two ladders lean against opposite sides of a wall.The foot of the first ladder is 8ft from the base of the wall and reaches 15ft high on the wall.The foot of the first ladder is 8ft from the base of the wall and reaches 15ft high on the wall.The foot of the second ladder is 7ft from the base of the wall and makes an angle of 72 degree with the ground.How much longer is the second ladder than the first to the nearest tenth of a foot.

Answer 1

L1^2 = 8^2 + 15^2 (recognize the 8-15-17 triangle?)
L2 = 7/cos72°
so find L2-L1