Question

If you took a 20 foot tree and hammered a spike into 3 feet above the ground how high would that spike be 30 years later when the tree is 100 feet tall and why

Answer 1

The spike would remain 3 feet above the ground even when the tree is 100 feet tall.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find out how high the spike would be 30 years later when the tree is 100 feet tall, we need to consider the relationship between the height of the tree and the position of the spike. Since the spike is hammered 3 feet above the ground, it remains fixed at that position as the tree grows taller. Therefore, the spike would still be 3 feet above the ground even when the tree reaches a height of 100 feet.

Answer 2

The spike will remain at 3ft above the ground after 30 years because the tree's growth in height does not cause the spike to increase in height.

Please find the detailed explanation below

Step-by-step explanation:

According to this question, a 20 foot tree was taken and a spike was hammered into 3 feet above the ground. After 30 years, the tree grew 100ft tall. Note that the spike will remain 3ft above the ground after 30 years.

This is because, unlike a tree which is a living thing and possess the characteristics to undergo growth (in width and height), the spike is a non-living thing and hence, cannot grow. Therefore, the spike will remain where it was (3feet above the ground) in years to come.

Also, note that, the spike will not move in height as the tree grows. This is because a tree grows from the tips or apical region i.e. the cell division that brings about growth of a plant occurs at the tips, hence, the tree will continue to elongate upwards leaving the Spike where it is.