Question

If the boy is 4' 9" tall and his shadow is 6 ft. and the shadow of the flagpole is 19 ft., determine the height of the flagpole (to the nearest tenth.

Answer 1

Height over shadow
H/S

9 in is 9/12=.75
So
Boys height /shadow. Flags height /shadow

4.75/6= X/19




Cross multiply
6x= 90.25
Divide by 6
X= 15.0

Answer 2

The height of the flagpole(to the nearest tenth) is, 15.0 ft

Explanation:

Proportion states that the two ratios or fractions are equal

As per the statement: If the boy is 4' 9" tall and his shadow is 6 ft. and shadow of the flagpole is 19 ft.

let the height of the flagpole be, h.

Use conversion:

1 ft = 12 inches.

Given: Height of the boy =
`4'9` , Shadow of the boy = 6 ft. and shadow of the flagpole=19 ft.

Using definition of proportion;

`(Height of the boy)/(Shadow of the boy) =(Height of flagpole)/(Shadow of flagpole)`

`((19)/(4))/(6)= (h)/(19)`

By cross multiply;

`(19)/(4) * 19 =6h`

`(361)/(4) = 6h`

Divide both sides by 6 we get;

`(361)/(24) = h`

⇒ h = 15.0416667 ft.

therefore, the height of the flagpole(to the nearest tenth) is, 15.0 ft