SOLUTION: A ladder is resting against a wall. The top of the ladder touches the wall at a height of 12 ft. Find the length of the ladder if the length is 4 ft more than its distance from t

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: A ladder is resting against a wall. The top of the ladder touches the wall at a height of 12 ft. Find the length of the ladder if the length is 4 ft more than its distance from t      Log On

 = .   (Pythagorean theorem)


Solve for x, the distance from the wall.


 = ,

128 = 8x  ====>  x =  = 16.


Thus the distance from the wall = 16 ft.  Hence, the length of the ladder is 16 + 4 = 20 ft.