A 3' cube sits on level ground against a vertical wall. A 12' ladder on the same ground leans against the wall such that it touches the top edge of the box.
How far from the wall must the foot of the ladder be, if it is to reach maximum height whilst meeting the foregoing conditions?
(In reply to
re(5): solution by Penny)
Actually there are TWO ways to place the ladder to meet the physical constraints of the problem. If the first is {x feet away and y feet up} then the second is {y feet away and x feet up}. The distances get swapped.
re(6): solution
