Answer :
Use Pythagorean Theorem.
a^2 + b^2 = c^2
Substitute the numbers.
12^2 + b^2 = 20^2
144 + b^2 = 400
Subtract 144 from each side.
b^2 = 256
Take square root.
The answer is
b = 16
a^2 + b^2 = c^2
Substitute the numbers.
12^2 + b^2 = 20^2
144 + b^2 = 400
Subtract 144 from each side.
b^2 = 256
Take square root.
The answer is
b = 16
Answer:
The height of the building to which the ladder reaches is:
16 ft.
Step-by-step explanation:
We can model this problem with the help of a right angled triangle ΔABC such that the hypotenuse of the triangle is 20-ft and one of it's leg is: 12 ft.
Now we are asked to find the other leg of the triangle.
We will use the Pythagorean Theorem in order to find the other leg.
Pythagorean Theorem says that: If c is the hypotenuse of the right triangle and a and b are it's two legs then,
[tex]c^2=a^2+b^2[/tex]
Hence, here we have:
[tex]c=20,\ and\ a=12[/tex]
So,
[tex]20^2=12^2+b^2\\\\i.e.\\\\400=144+b^2\\\\i.e.\\\\b^2=400-144\\\\i.e.\\\\b^2=256\\\\i.e.\\\\b=\pm 16[/tex]
Since, b can't be negative as it denotes a side of a triangle.
Hence, we get:
[tex]b=16[/tex]
