SOLUTION: A 20 meter ladder and a 15 meter ladder were leaned against a building. The bottom of the longer ladder was 7 meters farther from the building than the bottom of the shorter ladder

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: A 20 meter ladder and a 15 meter ladder were leaned against a building. The bottom of the longer ladder was 7 meters farther from the building than the bottom of the shorter ladder      Log On


   

Question 550443: A 20 meter ladder and a 15 meter ladder were leaned against a building. The bottom of the longer ladder was 7 meters farther from the building than the bottom of the shorter ladder, but both ladders reached the same distance up the building. Find the distance the ladders reached up the building.
Answer by richwmiller(17219) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
20^2=(x+7)^2+y^2
15^2=x^2+y^2