The accompanying diagram shows a 24-foot ladder leaning against a building. A steel brace extends from the ladder to the point where the building meets the ground. The brace forms a right angle with the ladder.
http://www.castlelearning.com/review/Courses/geometry/q3758.gif?v=20070420122556

If the steel brace is connected to the ladder at a point that is 10 feet from the foot of the ladder, which equation can be used to find the length, x, of the steel brace?

Question

The accompanying diagram shows a 24-foot ladder leaning against a building. A steel brace extends from the ladder to the point where the building meets the ground. The brace forms a right angle with the ladder.
http://www.castlelearning.com/review/Courses/geometry/q3758.gif?v=20070420122556

If the steel brace is connected to the ladder at a point that is 10 feet from the foot of the ladder, which equation can be used to find the length, x, of the steel brace?

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

according to this page http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/Altitude-to-the-Hypotenuse.topicArticleId-18851,articleId-18818.html the formula we're going to use is $$\Large h = \sqrt{xy}$$ where each length is shown in the diagram below |dw:1358459889916:dw|