Answer:
No, with the guides in between the two ladders, it is not possible for the lower ends of the ladder to be up to 12 feet apart
Step-by-step explanation:
The given parameters are;
The length of two sides of the step ladder = 12 feet
The maximum value allowable for the included angle between the two 12 feet ladders = 58°
Therefore, the maximum value of the third side facing the included angle is given as follows;
let "a" represent the maximum value of the third side formed by the distance apart of the lower end of the ladder, by cosine rule, we have;
a² = 12² + 12² - 2 × 12 × 12 × cos(58°) = 135.383251901
∴ a = √(12² + 12² - 2 × 12 × 12 × cos(58°)) ≈ 11.64
The maximum value of the third side formed by the distance apart of the lower end of the ladder = a ≈ 11.64 feet < 12 feet
Therefore, it is not possible for the lower ends of the ladder to be up to 12 feet apart.
