Question

ladder leans against a 15-foot-tall building to form a right triangle. The ladder is placed so it is 8 feet from the base of the building. What is the length of the ladder?

Answer 1

Answer with Step-by-step explanation:

This problem can be modeled as a right angled triangle with base(distance between ladder and building) 8 feet and  height(Height of building) 15 feet.

We have to find the hypotenuse(Length of the ladder).

We use the Pythagorean theorem:

Hypotenuse²=Base²+Height²

Hypotenuse²=8²+15²

                    = 64+225

                    = 289

                    = 17²

⇒ Hypotenuse=17

Hence, Length of the ladder is:

17 feet

Answer 2

17ft
15^2 +8^2 = x^2
hope this helps