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?

Question

whpalmer4 · Answer

Draw a picture:
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anonymous · Answer

4 ft?

whpalmer4 · Answer

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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$$(x-4)^2 + (7+y)^2 = 25^2$$

whpalmer4 · Answer

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

whpalmer4 · Answer

In fact, you probably should :-)

anonymous · Answer

oh my bad its 8 ft

whpalmer4 · Answer

Yes, that's correct.