The base of a 49 foot ladder is 7 feet from a wall. Will the top of the ladder reach a window ledge that is 31 feet above the ground?

Answer 1

h^2 = 49^2 -7^2 = 49(49-1) = 49(48)

h = sqr(49(48))= 7sqr48 = 7(4)sqr3= 28sqr3

h = about 28(1.732) = about 48.5 > 31

Yes the ladder will reach 31 or up to 48.5 feet high

use the Pythagorean Theorem

49^2 = 7^2 + h^2 where h= maximum point the ladder will reach

h^2 = 49^2 -7^2

= 2401-49=2352

h= sqr2352 = 48.497