Question

A 13 units long ladder is leaning against the wall of a house. The foot of the ladder from the house wall is 12 units. How far is the ladder touching the window from the ground (in units)?

• A. 5

Answer 1

The correct option is A 5
According to the question, the base and the length of the hypotenuse are given.

So, this is represented by the following scenario:


Applying the Pythagorean Theorem, we get:

${\text{Hypotenuse}}^2={\text{Base}}^2+{\text{Height}}^2$

Putting the values, we get:

${13}^2={12}^2+{\text{Height}}^2$
$\Rightarrow 169=144+{\text{Height}}^2$
$\Rightarrow {\text{Height}}^2=169-144$
$\Rightarrow {\text{Height}}^2=25$
$\Rightarrow \text{Height}=\sqrt{25}$
$\Rightarrow \text{Height}=5\text{units}$

Therefore, the height of the ladder from the ground is 5 units.