Also, use tables and not

Question

calculators. Finally, do not forget your units.
1. A ladder 20 METRES long rests against a vertical wall. The distance between the foot
of the ladder and the wall is 9 METERS
a. Find, correct to the nearest degree, the angle that the ladder makes with
the wall.
b. Find, correct to 1 decimal place, the height above the ground at which
the upper end of the ladder touches the wall.

Answer 1

(a) cosθ = 9/20
(b) h^2 + 9^2 = 20^2

you mean you have tables for cosines and square roots?
Who uses tables any more?

Answer 2

Why did this remind me of an old TV show by Roy Underhill, called The Woodwright's Shop?
They did woodworking using only vintage, muscle-powered and hand-tools.

Answer 3

I used tables, but then that was 1958! And apparently, tables are still used in Lagos.

Answer 4

............ and by my Sea Scout Ship.

Answer 5

So, how's it coming with that sextant?

Answer 6

a. sin A = 9/20
A = 27 deg.

b. Cos 27 = h/20
h = 17.8 meters.