Question

A 12 ft ladder is placed 5 feet from a building. Approximately how high does the ladder reach? Round to the nearest tenth, if necessary. *

Answer 1

Answer:

10.9

Step-by-step explanation:

You can solve this using the Pythagorean theorem, a^2+b^2=c^2, since it will form a right triangle.

You aren't missing the hypotenuse (c), but one of the side lengths (b). But you still solve like a normal algebraic equation.

Plugging in your values, you should start with 5^2+b^2=12^2

Then square everything.

25+b^2=144

Take away 25 from both sides.

b^2= 119

Then square root both sides.

b= 10.9