if the foot of the ladder is x feet from the wall, and the length of the ladder is z, and the ladder makes an angle θ with the ground,
z/x = secθ
2/(x-3) = tanθ
eliminate θ and find where dz/dx = 0
A fence 2 feet tall runs parallel to a tall building at a distance of 3 feet from the building. What is the length of the shortest ladder that will reach from the ground over the fence to the wall of the building? Help!
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