For a ladder contacting the wall 20ft above the ground, the base should be positioned how far from the wall?

To determine the correct distance that the base of the ladder should be positioned from the wall, one can apply the general rule of thumb used in ladder placement, which states that for every four feet of vertical height, the base of the ladder should be one foot away from the wall.

In this scenario, the ladder contacts the wall at a height of 20 feet. Following the guideline, you would take the height and divide it by 4 to find the optimal horizontal distance. So, 20 feet divided by 4 equals 5 feet. This distance ensures that the ladder is stable and reduces the risk of slipping or tipping over.

This is why positioning the base 5 feet away from the wall is considered appropriate, facilitating both safety and adherence to recommended practices for ladder use.