Question

A 10 foot ladder is leaning against the wall. The bottom of the ladder is 4 feet from the base of the wall. Which is closest to the distance from the top of the ladder to the base of the wall

Answer 1

Answer: 9.16 feet

Explanation:

Hi, to answer this question, since we have formed a right triangle (see attachment) we have to apply the Pythagorean theorem:

a2 +b2 = c2

Where c is the hypotenuse of a right rectangle (the longest side) and a and b are the lengths of the other 2 sides.

In this case the hypotenuse us the ladder.

So, replacing with the values:

4^2 + b ^2 = 10^2

16 + b^2 = 100

b^2 = 100-16

b^2 = 84

b = √84

b= 9.16 feet