Question

The flagpole at school casts a shadow that is 18 feet long. A student nearby is 5.5 feet tall and casts a shadow that is 3 feet long. How tall is the flagpole?

Answer 1

33 feet.

Explanation:

If the ratio of the student to their shadow and flagpole to its shadow are equal, then you can use the proportion

5.5/3 = x/18 and cross multiply to find x.

5.5 × 18 = 99

3 × x = 3x

3x/3 = x, 99/3 = 33.

x = 33.