Consider the scenario where a 8 ft long ladder rests against a vertical wall. Let y be the distance from the top of the ladder to the floor. Let be the distance from the bottom of the ladder to the wall. We first need to find an equation relating these three quantities. To do this, it will be helpful to draw a diagram and recall the Pythagorean Theorem. Draw a right triangle (since the wall is vertical). Label the base of the triangle "x". Label the height of the triangle "y". Label the hypotenuse with 8. Suppose that at some specific instant of time: The bottom of the ladder is sliding away from the wall at a rate of 3 feet per second. The bottom of the ladder is 2 feet from the wall How fast is the height y changing at this time? Rate of Change of y= feet/second