Answer:
25 feet
Step-by-step explanation:
In this problem, you would need to use the pythagorean theorem, a^2 + b^2 = c^2.
It doesn't matter which you decide to be a and which you decide to be b, but the diagonal line, or hypotenuse, must be c. In this case, that is the ladder.
Now you plug numbers into the equation. 20^2 + 15^2 = c^2.
Simplify the left side of the equation. 400 + 225 = c^2, 625 = c^2.
Now, since c is still squared, take the square root of both sides. c = 25.
Another way to solve this is using the special triangles. One of the easiest to remember is the 3-4-5 triangle. That is what this triangle is, once you factor out a 5 from all of the numbers (15/5=3, 20/5=4, 25/5=5). Them you just multiply whatever missing number you are looking for by the factor you took out (5 × 5 = 25).