Question

Two poles are on either side of road. A 10 m long ladder is placed between the two poles. When the ladder rests against one pole, it makes an angle 30° with the pole and when it is turned to rest against the other pole, it makes 30° with the road. Calculate the width of the road.​

Answer 1

The total width of the road is given by

W = w1 + w2

where w1 = l.sin(alpha), and w2 = l.cos(alpha)

and l = 30 m and alpha = 32.4 degrees.

So, w1 = 30*sin(32.4) = 16.075 m, and w2 = 30*cos(32.4) = 25.330 m

Giving W = w1 + w2 = 41.405 m