Math problem solving: If the foot of a 13 meters

[Herk Kulease]

ladder is placed 5 meters from a building, how far p the bui If the foot of a 13 meters ladder is placed 5 meters from a building, how far up the building will the top of the ladder be?

[Amy F]

12 meters. You can figure it out from the Pythagorean Theorem: a^2 + b^2 = c^2, where a and b are the legs of a triangle and c is the hypotenuse. In this case the legs of the triangle are the length of ground between the ladder and building and the side of the building; the hypotenuse is the ladder. So a^2 + 5^2 = 13^2. That means a^2 + 25 = 169; a^2 = 144; a = 12.

[maddojo]

I'll let you do the math. Later, you will appreciate learning. Hint: Pythagorean theorem.Good Luck.

[jimbob]

The ladder, the ground, and the wall would make a right triangle - in fact, a special 5-12-13 right triangle. The top of the ladder would be resting 12 meters above the ground.