A fence 4 feet tall runs parallel to a tall building at a distance of 5 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?

1 answer

Two approaches to the same problem, one using trig, the other using only algebra.
Just change the numbers.

http://www.jiskha.com/display.cgi?id=1257624952

http://www.jiskha.com/display.cgi?id=1245646756