A 30ft ladder is placed 10ft from the base of the house to reach the roof. How tall is the house?

Answer 1

This problem can be solved using the Pythagorean Theorem with the length of one leg being 10 feet and the hypotenuse being 30 feet. You will need to solve for the measurement of the other leg of a the triangle (building height) created by leaning the ladder against the wall.

a² + b² = c²

10² + b² = 302

100 + b² = 900

b² = 800

b =√800

b = 28.28 feet

The house will be 28.28 feet tall (to roof).

Answer 2

Draw a picture to visualize the problem, and see that

10² + h² = 30²

Can you solve for h and finish from here? The result will be in feet.