Question

A flagpole casts a 32-ft shadow. A boy who is 6 feet tall is standing near the flagpole casting a 16-ft shadow. They form similar triangles. How tall is the flagpole?

Answer 1

To find the height of the flagpole, we can set up a proportion using the similar triangles formed by the flagpole and the boy. The height of the flagpole is 12 feet.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the height of the flagpole, we can set up a proportion using the similar triangles formed by the flagpole and the boy. Let's call the height of the flagpole 'y'. The proportion can be set up as follows:

Flagpole height / Flagpole shadow = Boy height / Boy shadow

y / 32 = 6 / 16

y = (6/16) * 32 = 12 feet

Therefore, the height of the flagpole is 12 feet.