We can use the Pythagorean theorem to solve this problem. Let's label the height up the wall that the ladder reaches as "x". Then we have:
a = 6 feet (the distance from the base of the building to the bottom of the ladder)
b = x feet (the height up the wall that the ladder reaches)
c = 13 feet (the length of the ladder)
According to the Pythagorean theorem, a^2 + b^2 = c^2. Substituting in our values gives us:
6^2 + x^2 = 13^2
36 + x^2 = 169
x^2 = 133
x ≈ 11.54
So the ladder reaches a height of approximately 11.54 feet up the wall.
A 13
-foot
ladder is placed against a vertical wall of a building, with the bottom of the ladder standing on level ground 6
feet from the base of the building. How high up the wall does the ladder reach?
1 answer
1 answer