Use the pythagorean theorem, where the ladder's length is the hypotenuse, and the tree and the length between the base of the ladder and the tree are the legs.
Using pythagorean theorem. We know the hypotenuse will be 20, c. Either a or b could be 18 is doesn’t matter. 18^2+b^2=20^2 324+b^2=400 -324 b^2=76 Square root 76 You should put the later 2 square roots of 19 away. or 8.72 feet away