A ladder 10 m long reaches a window 8 m above the ground. Find the distance of the foot of the ladder from base of the wall.
Let AC is the ladder C is the foot of the ladder, such that AC = 10 m, A is the position of the window and AB is the wall.
Now, in right triangle ABC,
AC2 = AB2 + BC2
[Using Pythagoras theorem]
⇒ BC2 = AC2 - AB2
= (10)2 - (8)2
= 100 - 64 = 36
⇒ BC = 6 m
Hence, the distance of the foot of the ladder from base of the wall = 6 m.
Two poles of heights 6 m and 11 m stand on a plane ground. If the distance between the feet of the poles is 12 m, find the distance between their tops.