SOLUTION: A 10-ft ladder leans against a wall so that the base of the ladder is 4 ft from the wall. How high up on the wall will the ladder reach (to the nearest foot)?

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Question 752928: A 10-ft ladder leans against a wall so that the base of the ladder is 4 ft from the wall. How high up on the wall will the ladder reach (to the nearest foot)?
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
a%5E2+%2B+b%5E2+=+c%5E2 Start with the pythagorean theorem

4%5E2+%2B+x%5E2+=+10%5E2 Plug in the known values, let x be the unknown value, now solve for x

16+%2B+x%5E2+=+100

x%5E2+=+100-16

x%5E2+=+84

x+=+sqrt%2884%29

x+=+9.16515 Use a calculator here

x+=+9 Round to the nearest foot (as instructed)

Answer: 9 feet