document.write( "Question 316434: The foot of an extension ladder is 15 ft from a wall. The ladder is 5 ft longer than the height that it reaches on the wall. How far up the wall does the ladder reach? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #226438 by Fombitz(32388) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Use the Pythagorean theorem,
\n" ); document.write( " $\"15%5E2%2BX%5E2=%28X%2B5%29%5E2\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"225%2BX%5E2=X%5E2%2B10X%2B25\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"10X%2B25=225\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"10X=200\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"X=20\"$
\n" ); document.write( "The ladder reaches 20 feet up the wall and is 25 feet long. \n" ); document.write( "

\n" );