Question

How do you set up the equation?

Answer 1

This is asking for you to use the Pythagoras's theorem, which says that if you are given a height of a right triangle (h) and the length of that right triangle (L), then, the hypotenuse, or the distance between them (d), is:

$d^2 = h^2 + L^2$

Here, we are given that the height is 3m and the length is 5m. The distance, then will be given by:

$d  = \sqrt{h^2+L^2}$

$d = \sqrt{3^2+5^2}$

$d = \sqrt{9+25} =\sqrt{16} =4$

So, the distance between the ladder and the bottom of the slide is 4 meters. Hope I could help! :)