For a 12-foot ladder, the base distance from the wall should be approximately how many feet?

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Multiple Choice

For a 12-foot ladder, the base distance from the wall should be approximately how many feet?

Explanation:
Maintaining a safe ladder angle is key for stability. The standard rule is the 4-to-1 ratio: for every 4 feet of ladder height, move the base about 1 foot away from the wall. For a 12-foot ladder, that means the base should be roughly 3 feet from the wall, which puts the ladder at about a 75-degree angle—stable and less prone to tipping. If the base is too close, the ladder sits too upright and can topple forward; if it’s too far out, the angle becomes too shallow and the ladder can slip backward. So the best distance is about three feet.

Maintaining a safe ladder angle is key for stability. The standard rule is the 4-to-1 ratio: for every 4 feet of ladder height, move the base about 1 foot away from the wall. For a 12-foot ladder, that means the base should be roughly 3 feet from the wall, which puts the ladder at about a 75-degree angle—stable and less prone to tipping. If the base is too close, the ladder sits too upright and can topple forward; if it’s too far out, the angle becomes too shallow and the ladder can slip backward. So the best distance is about three feet.

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