A 10-foot ladder is leaning against the top of a building. The base of the ladder is 6 feet from the building. Find the height of the building.

Question

it's a multiple choice question that's trying to find the height and the choices are: 10 over 2,6 over 2,6 over 3 and 8

Answer 1

The 10 foot ladder is the hypotenuse of the right triangle. The distance of the base of the ladder to the building (6 feet) is a leg. The height of the building is the other leg.

Using the Pythagorean Theorem: height^2 + 6^2 = 10^2 --> height^2 = 64 ---> height = 8

Answer 2

A right triangle is formed:

meaning you can use the Pythagorean Theorem a² + b² = c² or in this case:

6² + h² = 10²

36 + h² = 100

h² = 100 - 36

h² = 64

h = √64 = 8