A ladder leans against a vertical wall. The top of the ladder is 8 metres above the ground. When the bottom of the ladder is moved 2 metres farther away from the wall, the top of the ladder rests against the foot of the wall. What is the length of the ladder?

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OSSC CGLRE (Mains) Exam (Mathematics) Official Paper (Held On: 23 July, 2023)
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  1. 12 metres
  2. 13 metres
  3. 17 metres
  4. 19 metres

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : 17 metres
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Detailed Solution

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Given:

The top of the ladder is 8 metres above the ground, and the bottom is initially at a certain distance from the wall.

When the bottom is moved 2 metres farther, the ladder reaches the foot of the wall.

Formula used:

Using the Pythagorean theorem:

If the length of the ladder is L, the initial distance from the wall is x, and the height is 8 metres:

L2 = x2 + 82

After moving the bottom 2 metres farther:

L2 = (x + 2)2

Calculation:

From the first equation:

L2 = x2 + 64

From the second equation:

L2 = (x + 2)2

Equating both:

x2 + 64 = x2 + 4x + 4

⇒ 64 = 4x + 4

⇒ 60 = 4x

⇒ x = 15 metres

Substituting x = 15 into the first equation:

L2 = 152 + 64

⇒ L2 = 225 + 64

⇒ L2 = 289

⇒ L = √289

⇒ L = 17 metres

∴ The length of the ladder is 17 metres.

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