Using Pythagoras theorem
[tex]17^2=\text{ }x^2+3^2[/tex][tex]\begin{gathered} x^2=17^2-3^2 \\ x^2=289-9 \\ x^2=280 \\ x=\sqrt[]{280} \\ x\text{ =16.73320053ft} \end{gathered}[/tex]To the nearest tenth x, the distance between the ground and the top of the ladder = 16.7ft
