SOLUTION: An 18-foot ladder leans against the wall of a building. The base of the ladder is 9 feet from the building on level ground. How many feet up the wall, is the top of the ladder? L

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: An 18-foot ladder leans against the wall of a building. The base of the ladder is 9 feet from the building on level ground. How many feet up the wall, is the top of the ladder? L      Log On


   

Question 1012446: An 18-foot ladder leans against the wall of a building. The base of the ladder is 9 feet from the building on level ground.
How many feet up the wall, is the top of the ladder? Leave your answer in simplest radical form.
Answer by ikleyn(52781) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
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An 18-foot ladder leans against the wall of a building. The base of the ladder is 9 feet from the building on level ground.
How many feet up the wall, is the top of the ladder? Leave your answer in simplest radical form.
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From the right-angled triangle you have

h = sqrt%2818%5E2-9%5E2%29 = 9%2Asqrt%283%29 feet

By the way, this right-angled triangle is 30-60-90 degrees.