21 meters
Step-by-step explanation:
Step 1 :
Let x be the distance at which the 13 meter ladder is placed . We can consider this as a triangle with one angle as 90°, where the ladder is the hypotenuse and the wall is one side. We need to find the 3rd side x.
Using Pythagoras theorem, we have
13² = 12² + x² => 169 = 144 + x² => x² = 169-144 = 25
=> x = 5 meters
Step 2 :
Similarly ,
Let y be the distance at which the 20 meter ladder is placed . We can consider this as a triangle with one angle as 90°, where the ladder is the hypotenuse and the wall is one side. We need to find the 3 rd side which is y.
Using Pythagoras theorem, we have
i.e 20² = 12² + y² => 400 = 144 + y² => y² = 200-144 = 256
=> y = 16 meters
Step 3 :
Value of x + y = 5 + 16 = 21 meters
