Answer:
4.9 ft
Step-by-step explanation:
The Pythagorean Theorem tells us that the sum of the square of each leg in a right triangle is equal to the square of the hypotenuse. It can be written as:
[tex]c^2=a^2+b^2[/tex]
Where
The picture of the problem is attached.
Now, using pythagorean theorem, we can write (letting the distance from base of ladder to base of slide be [tex]x[/tex]):
[tex](5)^2+(x)^2=(7)^2[/tex]
Now solving for [tex]x[/tex]:
[tex](5)^2+(x)^2=(7)^2\\25+x^2=49\\x^2=49-25\\x^2=24\\x=\sqrt{24}=4.9[/tex]
Hence, the distance between the ladder and the bottom of the slide is 4.9 ft (rounded to the nearest tenth)
