Solving Right Triangk

Question

The proper angle for a ladder is about 75° from the ground. Suppose you have a 12 foot ladder. How high can it reach?

Answer 1

Madina

Draw a diagram of the ladder against the wall.

Let's call the triangle ABC , A is the point on the ground where the ladder is, B is the bottom of the wall, C is the point when the ladder meets the wall.

ABC is a right triangle with angle B = 90 .

We know AC is 12 ft, and you want to find BC.

So you will use sine.

sin 75 = BC/AC.

So you can find BC from this.

Mike