Question

A 25-foot ladder is leaning against the side of a building and is positioned such that the base of the ladder is 15 feet from the base of the building. How far above the ground is the point where the ladder touches the building? 

Answer 1

Let us use a diagram to demonstrate the event .

From the diagram we are asked to find the value h. The value h can be found using pythagora's theorem.

$\begin{gathered} h^2=25^2-15^2 \\ h^2=625-225 \\ h^2=400 \\ \text{square root both sides} \\ h=\sqrt[]{400} \\ h=20\text{ ft} \end{gathered}$