A fence 8 ft tall runs parallel to a tall building at a distance of 4 ft from the building. What is the length of the shortest ladder that will reach from the ground over the fence to the wall of the building?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Are we looking at the diagram of this as:|dw:1383589244458:dw|?If I'm reading it correctly the ladder should be between the building and fence and for it to go over the fence right? Did it state how tall the building was or no?

anonymous · Answer

If not, then I believe the ladder is placed as this, |dw:1383589388371:dw|Use the Pythagorean equation to figure out the length of the ladder.

anonymous · Answer

Yes. Your first drawing is correct. it must reach the building going across the fence.

anonymous · Answer

It is an optimization problem, finding the smallest length needed to reach the building.

anonymous · Answer

In that case, follow this link http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&ved=0CE4QFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.math.umn.edu%2F~rusin018%2F1271_Fall_2006%2F1271_quiz_7_sol.pdf&ei=gup3UqufEub_igLqy4C4BA&usg=AFQjCNHwhQKzbKsxSc0Y5kXTjkaFxOHqmA&bvm=bv.55819444,d.cGE&cad=rja