The of a 15-foot ladder is 3 feet farther up

percibaa8

percibaa8

Answered question

2021-12-23

The of a 15-foot ladder is 3 feet farther up a wall than the foot is from the bottom of the wall. How far is the ladder from the bottom of the wall?

Answer & Explanation

Navreaiw

Navreaiw

Beginner2021-12-24Added 34 answers

Step 1
Let:
x=distance of the ladder from the bottom of the wall
y=height of the ladder from the bottom of the wall
L=length of the ladder
Using Pythagorean theorem
L2=x2+y2
Since the height is 3 feet farther up than the distance:
y=x+3
L2=x2+(x+3)2
(15)2=x2+x2+6x+9
225=2x2+6x+9
2x2+6x216=0
(x9)(x+12)=0
x1=9 and x2=12 (neglect the negative value)
Answer: x=9feet
veiga34

veiga34

Beginner2021-12-25Added 32 answers

Step 1
152=(x+3)2+x2
225=x2+6x+9+x2
2x2+6+9225=0
2x2+6x216=0
2(x2=3x108)=0
2(X=12)(x9)=0
x9=0
x=9 feet is the distance from the wall to the bottom of the ladder.
Proof:
92+(9+3)2=152
81+122=225
81+144=225
225=225
user_27qwe

user_27qwe

Skilled2021-12-30Added 375 answers

Step 1
This is a right triangle with a hypotenuse =15, the base x & the other side =x+3
x2+(x+3)2=152
x2+x2+6x+9=225
2x2+6x+9225=0
2x2+6x216=0
2(X2+3X108)=0
2(X9)(X+12)=0
X9=0
X=9ft. Distance from the wall and the base of the ladder.
9+3=12ft. Distance of the ladder up the wall.

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