Question

Two ladders are leaning against a wall at the same angle, as shown. How long is the short ladder?

Answer 1

For example, l is the length of short ladder we want to find

Make a comparison
ladder/wall height = ladder/wall height
l/20 = 60/50
l/20 = 6/5
l = 6/5 × 20
l = 120/5
l = 24

The short ladder is 24 ft

Answer 2

Set a porportion: 60/50=x/20 and solve for x=24