Question

If the ladder is 10 m long and 5 m from the base of the building, how high up the building will the ladder reach?

(1 point)

102−−−√+52=c2
; c = √125, which is an irrational number and must be estimated at 11.2 m.

102+52=c2
; c = 125 m, which is a rational, whole number

52+x2=102
; x = 75 m, which is a rational, whole number

52+x2=102
; x = √75 m, which is an irrational number and would be estimated to be 8.7 m.
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Answer 1

Use the Pythagorean theorem. With ladder (hypotenuse) 10 m and base 5 m:

x^2 + 5^2 = 10^2 → x^2 = 100 − 25 = 75 → x = √75 = 5√3 ≈ 8.66 m.

So the ladder reaches about 8.7 m up the building (the last choice is correct).