SOLUTION: the base of a 15ft ladder is 8 ft away from the wall. How far above the floor is the top of the ladder?

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: the base of a 15ft ladder is 8 ft away from the wall. How far above the floor is the top of the ladder?      Log On


   

Question 332127: the base of a 15ft ladder is 8 ft away from the wall. How far above the floor is the top of the ladder?
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The 15-foot ladder can be represented by the hypotenuse of a right triangle.
The 8-foot distance of the bottom of the ladder from the wall can be represented by the base of this right triangle.
So the height of the right triangle represents the distance above the floor of the top of the ladder, so you need to find the height of this right triangle to answer this question.
c%5E2+=+a%5E2%2Bb%5E2 Substitute c = 15 ft., a = 8 feet, and b is the height that you are looking for.
15%5E2+=+8%5E2%2Bb%5E2
225+=+64%2Bb%5E2 Subtract 64 from both sides.
161+=+b%5E2 Take the square root of both sides.
12.69+=+b
The top of the ladder is 12.69 feet above the floor.