Solve for ladder height using Pythagorean Theorem

tseday871221

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Dec 10, 2006
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A 17-foot ladder is leaning against a building. If the foot of the ladder is 8 feet from the base of the building, how far up the building will the ladder reach?
 
You've drawn the triangle representing the side of the building, the ground, and the leaning ladder. You've labelled the ground distance and the ladder length. You've applied the Pythagorean Theorem... So where are you stuck?

Please be specific. Thank you.

Eliz.
 
Hi tseday871221!

Stapel offered some brilliant advice.

Does your figure resemble this?

papajohnspapassweetreat7xg.jpg


If so, apply Pythagorean theorem: \(\displaystyle \L \;a^2\,+\,b^2\,=\,c^2\)

The \(\displaystyle a\,&\,b\) are you legs and \(\displaystyle c\) is you hypotenuse (side across from the right angle). Have at it.
 
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