Trigonometryhard · Past Paper

A ladder rests against a vertical wall at angle α. If its foot is pulled distance 'a' so it makes angle β, the distance 'b' it slides down is:

Aa (cosβ - cosα) / (sinα - sinβ)
Ba (sinα - sinβ) / (cosβ - cosα)
Ca tan(α+β)
DInsufficient data

✓ Correct Answer: Ba (sinα - sinβ) / (cosβ - cosα)

a = L(cos β - cos α), b = L(sin α - sin β). Thus b = a (sin α - sin β) / (cos β - cos α).

Share this question

More from Trigonometry