Question

You and your friend are practicing for a rowing competition and want to know how far it is to an island in the Indian River Lagoon. You take measurements on your side of the lagoon and make the drawing shown. What is the distance to the island? Please help, I don't have much time.

Answer 1

The drawing is missing, so i have attached it.

Answer:

24 yards

Explanation:

From the image, we can see that AB and DE are both adjacent sides of their respective triangles.

While, CE and BC are both opposite sides of their respective triangles

Now, from your side, x is the distance to the island.

So, from ratio of similar triangles, we can find x.

Thus;

8/x = 3/9

Cross multiply to get;

8 × 9 = 3x

3x = 72

x = 72/3

x = 24

Thus, distance from your side to the island is 24 yards