Fun Math Problem 'Cussed Ladders'

[Paul Dale]

At a guess, apply Pythagoras's theorem twice using the edge verticals and the full width across the bottom, call it w. The hypotenuses of these triangles are \( \sqrt {64 + w^2} \) and \( \sqrt {144 + w^2 } \).

Look at the similar triangles down from the point x. The sum of their bases is w = a + b. I think this is sufficient information to solve it.


Pauli