Question

If the top of a 4.50 m ladder reaches twice as far up a vertical wall as the foot of the
ladder is out from the base of the wall, how far up the wall does the ladder reach?
Draw a diagram. Give your answer to two decimal places

Answer 1

Answer:

4 m.

Step-by-step explanation:

Length of ladder, L = 4.50 m

Base of ladder from the wall, B = x

Height of the wall, H = 2x

Using Pythagoras theorem

$L^2 = B^2 + H^2$

$4.5^2 = x^2 + (2x)^2$

$5x^2 = 4.5^2$

$x = 2\ m\ (approx.)$

Height of the wall  is equal to 2 x 2 = 4 m.