Question 1124063
 A {{{19.5ft}}} ladder leans against a building. The base of the ladder is {{{7.5ft}}} from the building. 

how high up on the building does the ladder reach? 


ladder,distance of the base of the ladder from the building, and high up on the building does the ladder reach form right angle triangle where

the length of the ladder represents hypotenuse {{{c}}}

the length of the distance of the base of the ladder from the building represents leg {{{a}}}, and

the length of height up on the building does the ladder reach represents leg {{{b}}}

given:

{{{c=19.5ft}}}
{{{a=7.5ft}}}

using Pythagorean theorem, we have


{{{b^2=c^2-a^2}}}

{{{b^2=(19.5ft)^2-(7.5ft)^2}}}

{{{b^2=380.25(ft)^2-56.25(ft)^2}}}

{{{b^2=324(ft)^2}}}

{{{b=sqrt(324(ft)^2)}}}

{{{b=18ft}}}

the ladder reach {{{18ft}}} high up on the building