I am leaning a ladder against a wall. The ladder is 18 ft long, and I place the bottem of the ladder away from the wall, forming a 48° angle. How far away is the bottem of the ladder from the wall?

Question

I am leaning a ladder against a wall. The ladder is 18 ft long, and I place the bottem of the ladder away from the wall, forming a 48° angle. How far away is the bottem of the ladder from the wall?

Answer 1

A rt. triangle is formed:

X = hor. side = Dist. from bottom of ladder to wall.
Y = ver. side = dist. from gnd to top of ladder.
r = 18Ft = hyp.(Ladder).
A = 48 Deg. = Angle bet. gnd and bottom of ladder.

X = 18*cos48 = 12 Ft.