Question

There is a 25ft ladder leaned 7ft away from a building if the top of the ladder slips down 4ft, how many feet will the bottom slide out?

Answer 1

Draw a picture:

Answer 2

4 ft?

Answer 3

By Pythagorean theorem, we have \[7^2 + x^2 = 25^2\]

The ladder stays the same length when the height along the wall goes from \(x\) to \(x-4\). That means that the bottom leg is now (7+y) and\[(x-4)^2 + (7+y)^2 = 25^2\]

Answer 4

If you like, you can solve for the value of \(x\) before attempting to find \(y\).

Answer 5

In fact, you probably should :-)

Answer 6

oh my bad its 8 ft

Answer 7

Yes, that's correct.