document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=838438>Question 838438</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> when the base of a ladder that had been resting flat against the wall is pulled out 4 meters the top of the ladder descends 1/5 the length of the ladder. What is the length of the ladder? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #505102 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=edjones><B>edjones(8007)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=edjones><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=edjones><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=505102\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> After the base of the ladder is pulled away 4m we have a right triangle.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Let L be the length of the ladder.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "b=4, c=L, and a=L-.2L=.8L<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a^2+b^2=c^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(.8L)^2+4^2=L^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".64L^2+16=L^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".64L^2-L^2=-16<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".36L^2=16<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".6L=4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "L=4/.6<BR>\n" );
document.write( "=6 2/3 m<BR>\n" );
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