If a ladder reaches 24 feet high, what is the minimum distance from the wall for the base?

• A. 4 feet
• B. 6 feet
• C. 8 feet
• D. 10 feet

Answer: (B)

The key idea is a safety rule for setting up ladders: position the base one unit out for every four units of ladder height. This 4:1 ratio keeps the angle around 75 degrees, which is a stable, safe angle for climbing.

So, if the ladder reaches 24 feet high, the base should be about 6 feet from the wall (since 24 divided by 4 equals 6). Placing the base closer would make the ladder steeper and more prone to tipping, while placing it farther would make the angle too shallow and harder to work safely at the top. Therefore, six feet is the minimum distance to maintain a safe setup.