SOLUTION: A ladder is leaning against a building so that the distance from the ground to the top of the ladder is 3 feet less than the length of the ladder. Find the length of the ladder if

Algebra ->  Radicals -> SOLUTION: A ladder is leaning against a building so that the distance from the ground to the top of the ladder is 3 feet less than the length of the ladder. Find the length of the ladder if       Log On


   

Question 1032258: A ladder is leaning against a building so that the distance from the ground to the top of the ladder is 3 feet less than the length of the ladder. Find the length of the ladder if the distance from the bottom of the ladder to the building is sqrt(39) feet.
Found 3 solutions by josgarithmetic, MathTherapy, stanbon:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39616) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Vertical leg,     r-3
Horizontal leg,   39
Hypotenuse,        r

%28r-3%29%5E2%2B39%5E2=r%5E2

Answer by MathTherapy(10551) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

A ladder is leaning against a building so that the distance from the ground to the top of the ladder is 3 feet less than the length of the ladder. Find the length of the ladder if the distance from the bottom of the ladder to the building is sqrt(39) feet. 
Length of ladder: highlight_green%28matrix%281%2C2%2C+8%2C+feet%29%29

Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A ladder is leaning against a building so that the distance from the ground to the top of the ladder is 3 feet less than the length of the ladder. Find the length of the ladder if the distance from the bottom of the ladder to the building is sqrt(39) feet.
------
Sketch the picture.
You have a right triangle with height = L-3 ft
and base = sqrt(39)
and hypotenuse = L
-------
Equation:
L^2 = (sqrt(39))^2 + L^2 - 6L + 9
--------------------
6L = 39+9
L = 8 ft (length of the ladder)
--------------
Cheers,
Stan H.
----------