base distance --- x
height where the ladder touches --- x+7
x^2 + (x+7)^2 = 13^2
2x^2 + 14x + 49 = 169
x^2 + 7x - 60 = 0
(x+12)(x-5) = 0
x = -12 , which makes no sense
or
x = 5
finish it up
A contractor leans a 13-foot ladder against a building. The distance from the ground to the top of the ladder is 7 feet more than the distance from the building to the base of the ladder. Find the distance from the building to the base of the ladder and the distance from the ground to the top of the ladder.
1 answer
3 answers