Question

Derrick borrowed an 18-foot extension ladder to paint his house. If he sets thebase of the ladder 5 feet from the house, how far up along the side of the house willthe top of the ladder reach? (Round your answer to the nearest tenth.)

Answer 1

ANSWER

17.3 ft (rounded to the nearest tenth)

EXPLANATION

Given:

Desired Outcome:

The height the top of the ladder will reach.

Apply the Pythagorean Theorem

$\begin{gathered} Hyp^2=Opp^2+Adj^2 \\ AC^2=AB^2+BC^2 \\ 18^2=x^2+5^2 \\ 324-25=x^2 \\ x^2=299 \\ x=\sqrt{299} \\ x=17.29ft \end{gathered}$

Hence, the top of the ladder will reach 17.3 ft (rounded to the nearest tenth) up along the side of the house.