SOLUTION: I have a word problem i have done it over and over but it will not match my a b c and d answer can you help me? the base of a ladder is 3 feet away from the wall. The top of the

Algebra ->  Radicals -> SOLUTION: I have a word problem i have done it over and over but it will not match my a b c and d answer can you help me? the base of a ladder is 3 feet away from the wall. The top of the      Log On


   

Question 79067: I have a word problem i have done it over and over but it will not match my a b c and d answer can you help me?
the base of a ladder is 3 feet away from the wall. The top of the ladder is 9 feet from the floor. Find the length of the ladder to the nearest thousandth. i get this as you can see i am in another place help please
a^2=9^2+3^2
a^2=81+9
a^2=90
a=sqrt90
a=3sqrt10
a=2sqrt5
but my choices are;
A 9.487 feet
B 7.355 feet
c 11.788 feet
D 8.466 feet
Answer by rapaljer(4671) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You solved this correctly, but then in your last step, you blew it away!!

Your correct answer is this:
a=3sqrt10

How did you ever get this???
a=2sqrt5

The correct answer is 3%2Asqrt%2810%29+, which is approximately
A 9.487 feet

R^2 at SCC