Question

A 12-foot ladder rests against the side of a house. The base of the ladder is 3 feet away from the side of the house. How high above the ground is the top of the ladder? Round to the nearest tenth of a foot.

A.) 9.1 feet
B.) 11.6 feet
C.) 12.4 feet
D.) 153 feet

Answer 1

Using the pythagorean theorem: c^2 = a^2 + b^2

c = 12 feet
a = 3 feet
b = x feet

12^2 = 3^2 + x^2
144 = 9 + x^2
144 - 9 = x^2
135 = x^2
x = 11.6 feet

Therefore, the answer is B.