Need Help! Calc AB - "Ladder Problem"

[OrgyJorgy]

<p>I'm having a touch time setting up this problem. Can someone please help? </p>

<p>I scanned the problem and uploaded it here: <a href="http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=4/10923220794.jpg&s=x11%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=4/10923220794.jpg&s=x11&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

[beatlespwr]

<p>its a Max.Min problem.
You are trying to minimize the ladder length.
define the length of the ladder in terms of the other variables
take the derivative
set equal to zero
solve</p>

[ziggytheman]

<p>gah...related rates</p>