Thread: Calculus word problem - dont know where to start

A fence 2 feet tall runs parallel to a tall building at a distance of 6 feet from the building. What is the length of the shortest ladder that will reach from the ground over the fence to the wall of the building?

I am unsure what to do. my teacher helped me and said the length is 2 csc theta + 6 sec theta but i do not know where to go with this. please help thanks

If the length is that (I didn't check it) then you should find it's minimum with respect to theta as they are asking for the shortest ladder.

yes but how do i go about doing that