Question

A flagpole that is 28 feet tall casts a 15-foot shadow. At the same time, a nearby tree casts a 21 foot shadow. Find the height of the tree.

Round to the nearest tenth.

Answer 1

7.5 ft tall

Explanation:

We can find the height of the tree if you provide the actual length of the trees shadow.

Not really sure what a "toilet for a shadow" means.

Example: If the tree cast a shadow that was 4 feet long we would use a ratio:

Height/shadow = Height/Shadow

28/15 = x/4 cross multiply

15x = 4(28)

x = 4(28)/15 ≅ 7.47 ft

Rounding I would call the tree 7.5 ft tall

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

39.2 feet

Explanation:

In case of flagpole:

`tan \theta = \frac {28}{15}..... (1)`

Since, a nearby tree casts a 21 foot shadow at the same time. So the angle formed will be equal.

Let the height of the tree be x feet.

Therefore,

`tan \theta = \frac {x}{21}.....(2)`

From equations (1) & (2)

`\frac {28}{15} = \frac {x}{21}.....(2)\\\\</p><p></p><p>x = \frac{28* {21} }{{15} }\\\\</p><p></p><p>x = \frac{588}{{15} }\\\\</p><p>x = 39.2 \\\\</p><p>`