There is a 6 metres wide alley. Both walls of the alley are perpendicular to the ground. Two ladders, one 10 metres long, the other 12 metres, are propped up from opposite corners to the adjacent wall, forming an X shape. All four feet of each ladder are firmly touching either the corner or the wall. The two ladders are also touching each other at the intersection of the X shape.

What is the distance from the point of intersection from the ground?

(In reply to solution by Charlie)

Charlie, my solution confirmed jude's answer, which differs from yours. I believe your equation for the 12-meter ladder should have been

y = (6(√3)/6)(6-x)

and all else would follow correctly.

Posted by Bryan on 2003-04-21 09:12:45