Setting up some equations
Let x and y represent the distances as labelled on the figure.
Then similar triangles gives
Also, the Pythagorean relationship gives
So we have a system of two equations in two variables and we can graph them on the same axes. The first is a rectangular hyperbola and the second is a circle.
Only the first quadrant is of interest. Why?
Now, solve:
Return to the Ladder and Box Problem