SOLUTION: A ladder is resting against a wall. The top of the ladder touches the wall at a height of 9ft. Find the lenght of the ladder if the lenght is 3ft. more than its distance from the w

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Question 184290: A ladder is resting against a wall. The top of the ladder touches the wall at a height of 9ft. Find the lenght of the ladder if the lenght is 3ft. more than its distance from the wall.
Answer by rapaljer(4551) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x = distance from the wall
x+3 = length of the ladder

By Theorem of Pythagoras:
x%5E2%2B+9%5E2+=+%28x%2B3%29%5E2
x%5E2+%2B+81+=+x%5E2+%2B+6x+%2B+9

Subtract x^2 from each side:
81=6x+9
72 = 6x
x= 12 feet = distance from wall
x+3 = 15 feet = length of the ladder

Check:
+12%5E2+%2B+9%5E2+=+15%5E2+
144%2B81=+225

R^2