Question 332127
The 15-foot ladder can be represented by the hypotenuse of a right triangle.
The 8-foot distance of the bottom of the ladder from the wall can be represented by the base of this right triangle.
So the height of the right triangle represents the distance above the floor of the top of the ladder, so you need to find the height of this right triangle to answer this question.
{{{c^2 = a^2+b^2}}} Substitute c = 15 ft., a = 8 feet, and b is the height that you are looking for.
{{{15^2 = 8^2+b^2}}}
{{{225 = 64+b^2}}} Subtract 64 from both sides.
{{{161 = b^2}}} Take the square root of both sides.
{{{12.69 = b}}}
The top of the ladder is 12.69 feet above the floor.