SOLUTION: Solve. A 10 meter ladder is leaning against a building. The bottom of the ladder is 5 meters from the building. How many meters high is the top of the ladder?

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: Solve. A 10 meter ladder is leaning against a building. The bottom of the ladder is 5 meters from the building. How many meters high is the top of the ladder?      Log On


   

Question 316784: Solve.
A 10 meter ladder is leaning against a building. The bottom of the ladder is 5 meters from the building. How many meters high is the top of the ladder?
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The ladder, the distance from the ladder base to the building, and the distance from the ground to the ladder on the building form a right triangle.

Use the Pythagorean theorem,
x%5E2%2B5%5E2=10%5E2
x%5E2%2B25=100
x%5E2=75
x=sqrt%2875%29
highlight%28x=5%2Asqrt%283%29%29 or approximately,
x=8.66 m