Question

On level ground, a vertical rod 12 feet tall casts a shadow 4 feet long, and at the same time a nearby vertical flagpole casts a shadow 12 feet long. how many feet tall is the flagpole?

Answer 1

`(Actual)/(Shadow)` =
`(Actual)/(Shadow)`

`(12)/(4)` =
`(Actual₂)/(12)`
Actual = 36 feet

Answer 2

36 feet.

Explanation:

We have been given that on level ground, a vertical rod 12 feet tall casts a shadow 4 feet long, and at the same time a nearby vertical flagpole casts a shadow 12 feet long.

To find the length of flagpole, we will use proportions as:

`\frac{\text{Actual length of flagpole}}{\text{Shadow of flagpole}}=\frac{\text{Actual length of rod}}{\text{Shadow of rod}}`

Substitute given values:

`\frac{\text{Actual length of flagpole}}{12\text{ ft}}=\frac{12\text{ ft}}{4\text{ ft}}`

`\frac{\text{Actual length of flagpole}}{12\text{ ft}}* 12\text{ ft}=\frac{12\text{ ft}}{4\text{ ft}}* 12\text{ ft}`

`\text{Actual length of flagpole}=12\text{ ft}* 3`

`\text{Actual length of flagpole}=36\text{ ft}`

Therefore, the actual length of flagpole is 36 feet.