SOLUTION: a ladder is resting against a wall. the top of the ladder touches the wall at height of 9 feet. find the length of the ladder if the length is 3 feet more than its distance from t

Question 573473: a ladder is resting against a wall. the top of the ladder touches the wall at height of 9 feet. find the length of the ladder if the length is 3 feet more than its distance from the wall
Answer by mananth(16946) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
distance from wall = x
length of ladder = x+3 feet
height where it touches the wall = 9
The ladder,the floor & the wall form a right triangle.
The base is one leg
The height is the other leg
The ladder acts as the hypotenuse

Pythagoras theorem

(Hyp)^2= (leg1)^2+ Leg2^2
(x+3)^2=x^2+9^2
x^2+6x+9 = x^2+81
6x+9=81
6x=72
/6
x=12
Length of ladder = 12+3 = 15 feet

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