A ladder leans against a wall, reaching 12 feet up with the top 3 feet from the wall. How long is the ladder?

Mon, 04 May 2026 14:22:29 +0000

**Why Is That Ladder Just 9 Feet Long? The Math Behind a Common Wall Climb** Curious why A ladder leans against a wall, reaching 12 feet high with just 3 feet of its tip left above the floor? It’s a question heck of a lot of US users are asking—especially folks DIY-ing, gardening, or prepping for seasonal projects. This simple setup taps into everyday practicality, and the numbers behind it reveal more than you’d expect. With mystery nearby, science and stability come together in a quiet moment of real-world physics. **Why Is That Ladder Leaning at That Height? The Real Story** A ladder leaning against a wall isn’t random—it’s a geometry puzzle. The top part rests where the wall ends, while the base stays firmly planted on the ground. The ladder acts as a sloped line meeting two vertical surfaces: the wall and the ground. The vertical drop from the wall to the tip (12 feet) and the vertical space above the floor (3 feet) define the full height. But what about the ladder’s actual length?