Question

A 5.5 m long ladder is leaned against a wall. The ladder reaches the wall to a height of 4.4 m. Find the distance between the wall and the foot of the ladder.

Answer 1

Let the distance between the wall and the foot of the ladder be x m

In right-angled ΔABC, by using Pythagoras theorem, we get

BC² = AB² + AC²

⇒ (5.5)² = x² + (4.4)²

⇒ x² = (5.5)² – (4.4)²

⇒ x² = 30.25 – 19.36

 ⇒ x² = 10.89

⇒ x = `sqrt(10.89)`

	3.3
3	`bar10.bar89`
	9
63	189
	189
	0

∴  x = 3.3 m

Hence, the distance between the wall and the foot of the ladder is 3.3 m.