Question

A ladder 5 m. long rests against a wall at a height of 4.8 m form the ground. Calculate the distance of the foot of the ladder from the wall.

Answer 1

Let AC be the ladder. Let the distance of the foot of the ladder from the wall be x m.

Here, AB = 4.8 m and AC = 5 m

Applying Pythagoras theorem in right ΔABC, we have:

AC² = AB² + BC²

⇒25 = 4.8² + x²

⇒ x² = 25 − 23.04

⇒ x² = 1.96

⇒ x = 1.4 m

Hence, the distance of the foot of the ladder from the wall is 1.4 m.