document.write( "Question 353964: A pole's shadow measures 2 1/2 feet when the shadow of a yardstick is right next to the ople measures 16 inches. How tall is the pole? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #253010 by walleye(1) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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First you must convert the shadow into inches. 2.5 * 12 = 30 inches.
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\n" ); document.write( "Second you must know that a yardstick is 3 ft or 36 inches.
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\n" ); document.write( "Set x as the height of the pole.
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\n" ); document.write( "Now use the law of similar triangles \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " $\"%28x%2F36%29+=+%2830%2F16%29\"$ as in $\"%28height+of+pole%2Fheight+of+yardstick%29+=+%28shadow+of+pole%2F+shadow+of+yardstick%29\"$
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\n" ); document.write( "simplify into
\n" ); document.write( " $\"%2830%2F16%29+=+%2815%2F8%29\"$
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\n" ); document.write( "Now cross multiply
\n" ); document.write( " $\"8x+=+36+%2A+15\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"8x+=+540\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x+=+67.5+inches\"$ \r
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