Question

Question part points submissions used a fence 8 ft tall runs parallel to a tall building at a distance of 4 ft from the building. what is the length of the shortest ladder that will reach from the ground over the fence to the wall of the building? (round your answer to two decimal places.)

Answer 1

this is a good question. also one you can use in real life.

if the fence is 8ft tall you know you need at least an 8ft ladder to get over the fence.

the building is 4ft away but you need to clear the fence.

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So this is what your looking for. I find it easier to learn when you make it into a picture.

so it's 8ft high and 4ft from building so the ladder has to be 8×4 to go from the ground to the wall over the fence.