SOLUTION: The foot of a ladder is 12 feet from the wall of a house. The angle formed by the ladder and the ground is 50 degrees. 18. In the figure above, how tall is the ladder? A. 18.6

Algebra ->  Trigonometry-basics -> SOLUTION: The foot of a ladder is 12 feet from the wall of a house. The angle formed by the ladder and the ground is 50 degrees. 18. In the figure above, how tall is the ladder? A. 18.6      Log On


   

Question 147948: The foot of a ladder is 12 feet from the wall of a house. The angle formed by the ladder and the ground is 50 degrees.
18. In the figure above, how tall is the ladder?

A. 18.67'
B. 20'
C. 16.3'
D. 19.4'
E. 25'
Answer by nerdybill(7384) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The foot of a ladder is 12 feet from the wall of a house. The angle formed by the ladder and the ground is 50 degrees.
.
Draw a diagram first!
You must use trigonometry.
cos is the "adjacent/hypotenuse"
.
Let x = length of ladder
cos(50) = 12/x
x = 12/cos(50)
x = 18.67 feet