Question

A tree has a shadow 900 inches long. At the same time of day, Evelyn's shadow is 72 inches long. The two triangles formed by the tree, Evelyn, and their shadows are similar right triangles, as shown in the diagram below.

Evelyn is 65 inches tall. What is the height of the tree in inches?

Answer 1

812.5 inches

Explanation:

Turn these numbers into fractions:

`(h)/(900) (65)/(72)`

Solve 900/72 to get 12.5. This means that multiplying 72 x 12.5, you get 900. So, to find the height of the tree: h you multiply 65 x 12.5. Your answer to this is 812.5.

Hope it helps!