Question

A hiker want to determine the height of a cliff. She

has measured her height (5.8ft) and shadow (7ft).

She knows the cliff casts a shadow of 50ft. How

tall is the cliff?

Answer 1

41.43 ft

Explanation:

We solve the above using proportion

Height of cliff/Shadow of cliff = Height of Hiker/Shadow of hiker

Height of cliff = x

Shadow of cliff = 50ft

Height of Hiker = 5.8 ft

Shadow of hiker = 7 ft

Therefore:

x/50 = 5.8/7

Cross Multiply

7x = 50 × 5.8

7x = 290

x = 290/7

x = 41.428571429 ft

Approximately = 41.43 ft

Therefore, the height of the cliff = 41.43 ft