Question

a 10 foot ladder is leaning against the wall. the bottom of the ladder is 4ft from the base of the wall. which of the following is closest to the distance from the top of the ladder to the base of the wall?

Answer 1

The height of the wall is 9.17ft

Explanation:

The length of the ladder is 10ft

Distance from the foot of the ladder to the wall is 4ft

The height of ladder is unknown.

To solve this question, you'll require a pictorial illustration of the situation. Kindly check attached document for that.

Since it's a right angle triangle, we have two sides with one sides unknown, we can use pythagorean theorem to find the third side.

The hypothenus (x) is 10ft

The adjacent is (y) 4 ft

The opposite (z) (height of the wall) is unknown.

X² = Y² + Z²

10² = 4² + Z²

100 = 16 + Z²

Z² = 100 - 16

Z² = 84

Z = √(84)

Z = 9.165 = 9.17ft

The height of the wall is 9.17ft