Question

A 30-foot ladder leans against a wall at a 77° angle of elevation. Find the distance from the ladder's base to the wall.

Can I use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve this problem?

Answer 1

no

Answer 2

pythagorean can only be done when you're given two sides

Answer 3

How do I solve it?

Answer 4

draw this thingy first



does that give you an idea how to solve for x

Answer 5

no idea

Answer 6

hint \[\cos \theta = \frac{adjacent}{hypotenuse}\]
\[\sin \theta = \frac{opposite}{hypotenuse}\]
\[\tan \theta = \frac{opposite}{adjacent}\]
any clue now?

Answer 7

LOL I may sound dumb but I don't understand

Answer 8

hmm...you know what hypotenuse is right?

Answer 9

nope

Answer 10

Ok this is my question you are telling me that I can't use the pythagorean Theorem but that's what the book is showing me.

Answer 11

you can only use pythagorean theorem when you're given TWO sides and you're looking for the THIRD side

Answer 12

I'm tired, my brain is tire. Ok can you go step by step

Answer 13

but here you're given ONE side and ONE angle

Answer 14

ok

Answer 15

anyway...the hypotenuse is the longest side. it is the side opposite the right angle...so in this case what's the hypotenuse?

Answer 16

30 FT