Answer: [tex]8.71\ ft[/tex]
Step-by-step explanation:
Given
Ladder is 16 ft from bottom and 12 away from the base of the wall
In another case ladder is 18 ft above the ground and let say x ft away from the base of the wall
In both the cases the length of ladder remains the same
Using Pythagoras theorem, we can write
[tex]\Rightarrow 16^2+12^2=L^2\ldots(i)\\\Rightarrow 18^2+x^2=L^2\ldots(ii)\\\text{From (i) and (ii)}\\\Rightarrow 16^2+12^2=18^2+x^2\\\Rightarrow x^2=256+144-324\\\Rightarrow x^2=76\\\Rightarrow x=\sqrt{76}\\\Rightarrow x=8.71\ ft[/tex]
