Question

Standing on the roof of her apartment building, the top of Carla’s head is 15 yards above the ground.

She spots a curb 20 yards from the base of the building. What is the height of the flagpole?

Answer 1

9 yards.

Explanation:

We would solve for this using proportion

Top of Carla's head / Distance of the curb from the building = Height of the flag/ distance of the flag to the building

Top of Carla's head = 15 yards

Distance of the curb from the building = 20 yards

Height of the flag pole = unknown = X

Distance of the flag from the building = 12 yards

Hence,

15/ 20 = X/12

Cross Multiply

20 × X = 15 × 12

20X = 180

X = 180/20

X = 9

Therefore, the height of the flag pole = 9yards