Question

20 multiple choice 1 point two window washers, ian and caleb, lean a ladder against the side of a building so that ian can wash a window while caleb holds the ladder. the top of the ladder reaches the window, which is 15 feet off the ground. the base of the ladder is 8 feet away from the building. how long is the ladder? 15 feet 17 feet 18 feet 16 feet

Explanation:

Step1: Identify the problem as a right - triangle problem

The height of the window from the ground is one leg ($a = 15$ feet) and the distance of the base of the ladder from the building is the other leg ($b = 8$ feet) of a right - triangle. The length of the ladder is the hypotenuse $c$.

Step2: Apply the Pythagorean theorem

The Pythagorean theorem is $a^{2}+b^{2}=c^{2}$. Substitute $a = 15$ and $b = 8$ into the formula: $15^{2}+8^{2}=c^{2}$. Calculate $15^{2}=225$ and $8^{2}=64$. Then $225 + 64=c^{2}$, so $c^{2}=289$.

Step3: Solve for $c$

Take the square root of both sides. Since $c>0$, $c=\sqrt{289}=17$.

Answer:

17 feet