Answer:
6 ft
Step-by-step explanation:
Since the distance between the bottom of the ladder and the wall forms a right angle that is across from the ladder, you can use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve for the value of 'x':
a² + b² = c², where 'a' and 'b' are the legs of the triangle and 'c' is the diagonal or hypotenuse.
Using 8 for 'a' and 10 for 'c':
8² + x² = 10²
64 + x² = 100
Subtract 64 from both sides:
64 - 64 + x² = 100 - 64 or x² = 36
Take the square root of both sides:
√x² = √36
x = 6 ft
