A 25-foot ladder is placed 7 feet from the wall, as shown.

25 ft.

7 ft.

If the top of the ladder slips down 4 feet, how many feet will the bottom slide out?

The answer is 8 feet.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let x = height where the ladder hits the building

7 squared+x squared=25 squared

49+x squared=625

x squared=576

x=24 feet

Let x = distance from wall:

x^2 + 20^2 = 25^2

x^2 + 400 = 625

x^2 = 225

x = 15 feet

The answer is 8 feet.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let x = height where the ladder hits the building

7 squared+x squared=25 squared

49+x squared=625

x squared=576

x=24 feet

Let x = distance from wall:

x^2 + 20^2 = 25^2

x^2 + 400 = 625

x^2 = 225

x = 15 feet