Math Is Fun Forum
You are not logged in.
- Topics: Active | Unanswered
#1 2012-10-26 07:51:46
- zee-f
- Member
- Registered: 2011-05-12
- Posts: 1,220
Triangles
Hi guys 
!
I really need help answering and seeing if I answered this question correct.
A 12-foot ladder is leaning across a fence and is touching a higher wall located 3 feet behind the fence. The ladder makes an angle of 60 degrees with the ground. Find the distance from the base of the ladder to the bottom of the fence.
The distance from the base of the ladder to the bottom of the fence is going to be
12 * √3 = 12√3
One, who adopts patience, will never be deprived of success though it may take a long time to reach him. Imam ali (as)<3
Offline
#2 2012-10-26 08:05:36
- bobbym
- bumpkin
- From: Bumpkinland
- Registered: 2009-04-12
- Posts: 109,606
Re: Triangles
Hi;
That is not possible. You have the base of the triangle longer than the hypotenuse which is always the longest side of a right triangle.
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.
Offline
#3 2012-10-26 08:53:23
- Bob
- Administrator
- Registered: 2010-06-20
- Posts: 10,621
Re: Triangles
hi zee-f
This is the diagram I'm getting.
ladder = AD
fence = BE
wall = DE
Bob
Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you! …………….Bob
Offline
#4 2012-10-26 09:08:24
- zee-f
- Member
- Registered: 2011-05-12
- Posts: 1,220
Re: Triangles
OK so I am going to say 12 is the hypotenuse so to get the short side I divide 12 by 2 sense the hypotenuse is the short leg * 2 and I get 6 and the long leg is going to be 6* √3 = 6√3
and to get the distance from the base of the ladder to the bottom of the fence 6 - 3 = 3
So 3ft is the answer
One, who adopts patience, will never be deprived of success though it may take a long time to reach him. Imam ali (as)<3
Offline
#5 2012-10-26 09:13:08
- Bob
- Administrator
- Registered: 2010-06-20
- Posts: 10,621
Re: Triangles
That works for me.
Bob
Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you! …………….Bob
Offline
#6 2012-10-26 09:15:40
- zee-f
- Member
- Registered: 2011-05-12
- Posts: 1,220
Re: Triangles
Thank 
One, who adopts patience, will never be deprived of success though it may take a long time to reach him. Imam ali (as)<3
Offline
#7 2012-10-26 09:23:19
- bobbym
- bumpkin
- From: Bumpkinland
- Registered: 2009-04-12
- Posts: 109,606
Re: Triangles
Hi;
I hope that you are drawing a diagram whenever one of these geometry problems come up.
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.
Offline