<PRE><B>Question 440786</B>
The foot of an extension ladder is approximately 10 ft for a wall. The height that the ladder reaches on the wall and the length of the ladder are consecutive intergers. How long is the ladder to the nearest foot?
.
Let x = height the ladder reaches on the wall
then
x+1 = height of ladder
.
x^2 + 10^2 = (x+1)^2
x^2 + 10^2 = (x+1)(x+1)
x^2 + 10^2 = x^2+2x+1
10^2 = 2x+1
100 = 2x+1
99 = 2x
49.5 ft = x
.
ladder then is:
x+1 = 49.5+1 = 50.5 feet 


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