Length of a ladder and the Pythagorean theorem

by Anonymous

A ladder is resting against a wall. The top of the ladder touches the wall at a height of 18 ft. Find the length of the ladder if the length is 6 ft more than its distance from the wall.

Let d be the distance from the wall, then d + 6 is the length of the ladder as shown in the picture above.

Using the Pythagorean theorem, we get:

(d + 6)2 = d2 + 182

d2 + 12d + 36 = d2 + 182

12d + 36 = 324

12d = 324 - 36

12d = 288

d = 288/12

d = 24

Since d + 6 = 24 + 6 = 30, the length of the ladder is 30.

Click here to post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Geometry word problems.

Recent Articles

  1. How To Find The Factors Of 20: A Simple Way

    Sep 17, 23 09:46 AM

    Positive factors of 20
    There are many ways to find the factors of 20. A simple way is to...

    Read More

  2. The SAT Math Test: How To Be Prepared To Face It And Survive

    Jun 09, 23 12:04 PM

    SAT math
    The SAT Math section is known for being difficult. But it doesn’t have to be. Learn how to be prepared and complete the section with confidence here.

    Read More

Tough algebra word problems

100 Tough Algebra Word Problems.

If you can solve these problems with no help, you must be a genius!

Math quizzes

 Recommended

Math vocabulary quizzes