Question

Brian borrowed a 20-foot extension ladder to paint his house. If he sets the base ofthe ladder 6 feet from the house, how far up along the side of the house will the topof the ladder reach?

Answer 1

Answer:

20.88 ft

Explanation:

The height of the ladder, h = 20 ft

Distance between the base of the ladder and the house, d = 6 ft

The diagram representing the illustration is:

Using the Pythagora's theorem

$\begin{gathered} l^2=h^2+d^2 \\ \\ l^2=20^2+6^2 \\ \\ l^2=436 \\ \\ l=\sqrt{436} \\ \\ l=20.88\text{ ft} \end{gathered}$

The top of the ladder will reach 20.88 ft up along the side of the house