SOLUTION: a ladder that is 13m long is placed so that its foot it 3m from the base of a vertical wasll . how far does the laddr reach up the wall

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: a ladder that is 13m long is placed so that its foot it 3m from the base of a vertical wasll . how far does the laddr reach up the wall      Log On


   

Question 128908: a ladder that is 13m long is placed so that its foot it 3m from the base of a vertical wasll . how far does the laddr reach up the wall
Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Pythagoras says c%5E2=a%5E2%2Bb%5E2. The ladder itself is c, and the distance from the foot of the ladder to the base of the vertical wall is either a or b, as you please, so:

13%5E2=3%5E2%2Bb%5E2

b%5E2+=+169+-+9

b%5E2=+160

b=+sqrt%28160%29

b=sqrt%2816%2A10%29

b=4%2Asqrt%2810%29

So the ladder reaches 4%2Asqrt%2810%29 meters up the wall. Roughly 12.6 meters.

By the way, that is a HUGE ladder, over 42 and a half feet long. It would reach to the 4th floor of most multi-story buildings.