Question 1093809
If you assume that the tree is perfectly vertical,
then the ladder and tree form a right triangle
with 2 of the sides given. You have to find the
3rd side, which is the ladder.
Use the Pythagorean theorem.
Let {{{ c }}} = the length of the ladder.
{{{ c^2 = 24^2 + 18^2 }}}
{{{ c = sqrt( 24^2 + 18^2 ) }}}
{{{ c = sqrt( 576 + 324 ) }}}
{{{ c = sqrt( 900 ) }}}
{{{ c = 30 }}}
The ladder must be 30 ft long
-----------------------------
Note that this is actually a 3-4-5 trangle:
{{{ 18/6 = 3 }}}
{{{ 24/6 = 4 }}}
{{{ 30/6 = 5 }}}