document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1003286>Question 1003286</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I can't figure out the answer to this question.   When I complete it, I get m=-15/9.  Can you help me? \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "A 15 foot ladder is leaning against a house with its bottom 9 feet from the base of<BR>\n" );
document.write( "the house. What is the slope of the ladder? Select the correct answer, then either show your work or explain your answer.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a) 9/15<BR>\n" );
document.write( "b) Square root of 24<BR>\n" );
document.write( "c) 12<BR>\n" );
document.write( "d) 4/3<BR>\n" );
document.write( "e) 15 </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #620038 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=jim_thompson5910><B>jim_thompson5910(35256)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=jim_thompson5910><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/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=620038\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Let x = height where the top of the ladder leans against the wall\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "We have a right triangle with legs x and 9, along with a hypotenuse of 15.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Use the pythagorean theorem to find x\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "a^2 + b^2 = c^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2 + 9^2 = 15^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2 + 81 = 225<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2 + 81-81 = 225-81<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2 = 144<BR>\n" );
document.write( "sqrt(x^2) = sqrt(144)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = 12\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The legs of this right triangle are 12 and 9. The vertical leg is 12 (rise) and the horizontal leg is 9 (run)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The legs will form the slope. \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Slope = rise/run = 12/9 = 4/3\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Take note at how I reduced the fraction fully\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Final Answer: 4/3 </SPAN>\n" );
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