16Hit1600
Geometry and TrigonometryHardHeight reached by a ladder at 60 degrees

Geometry and Trigonometry practice question

A 10-metre ladder leans against a wall, making a 60° angle with the ground. The height it reaches up the wall can be written as k√3 metres. What is the value of k?

Answer: 5

Height = 10 sin 60° = 10(√3/2) = 5√3.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 10
10 is the ladder's length, not the coefficient.
If you answered 5.77
5.77 is 10/√3, dividing instead of multiplying.
If you answered 8.66
8.66 is the height itself, not k.

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