Question

A ladder $13m$ long rests against a vertical wall. If the foot of the ladder is $5m$ from the foot of the wall, find the distance of the other end of the ladder from the ground.

• A. $12m$
• B. $24m$
• C. $6m$
• D. $36m$

Answer 1

The correct option is A $12m$

Consider the ladder wall system as a right-angled triangle such that length of ladder rested on the wall being the hypotenuse (H), the distance between the foot of the wall and the ladder being the base (B) and length of the wall up to the ladder being the perpendicular (P)

now, given, H = 13 m, B = 5m

Thus, $H^2=P^2+B^2$ (by Pythagoras theorem)
${13}^2=P^2+5^2$
$P^2=144$
$P=12$ m

Thus, the distance between the foot of the wall and the ladder is 12 m