Question

A flagpole casts a shadow that is 11 feet long. At the same time, a girl standing nearby who is 3 feet tall casts a shadow that is 2 feet long. How tall is the flagpole to the nearest foot?​

Answer 1

Set up the equation with variable x representing the height of the flag pole

X/11 = 3/2

Multiply the numerator in the first fraction by the denominator in the second (x times 2)

Now reverse this with the denominator in the first equation and the numerator in the second (11 times 3)

This gives us

2x = 33

Divide both sides by 2

X = 16.5

Rounded the the nearest foot: x = 17ft

Answer 2

• 17 feet

Explanation:

The two shadows are parallel lines and are part of similar triangles formed.

Corresponding sides of similar triangles have same ratio. Let the length of the flagpole be x.

Then we have ratios:

• x/11 = 3/2
• x = 11*1.5
• x = 17 feet (rounded up)