Bob needs to wash the windows on his house. He has a 25-foot ladder and places the base of the ladder 10 feet from the wall on the house. How far up the wall will the ladder reach?

Question

Bob needs to wash the windows on his house.  He has a 25-foot ladder and places the base of the ladder 10 feet from the wall on the house.  How far up the wall will the ladder reach?

Ms. Sue · Answer

a^2 + b^2 = c^2 10^2 + b^2 = 25^2 100 + b^2 = 625 b^2 = 525 b = 22.91 feet