Answer:
16.25 feet
Step-by-step explanation:
the ladder and the wall form a right angle triangle with sides a, b, and c. Remember that side c is the hypoteneuse, which is formed by the ladder in this case. the choice of which side is a and b is arbitrary. Solve for the missing side using pythagorean theorem.
[tex]c^2=a^2+b^2\\b^2=c^2-a^2\\b^2=17^{2}-5^{2}\\b^2=264\\b=\sqrt{264}\\b=16.25[/tex]
where side b is the height on the wall which the ladder reaches.
