SOLUTION: A man 6 feet tall has a shadow 7.8 feet long while standing next to a flagpole that has a shadow measuring 195 feet. How tall is the flagpole?

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: A man 6 feet tall has a shadow 7.8 feet long while standing next to a flagpole that has a shadow measuring 195 feet. How tall is the flagpole?      Log On


   

Question 169890: A man 6 feet tall has a shadow 7.8 feet long while standing next to a flagpole that has a shadow measuring 195 feet. How tall is the flagpole?
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You can use the principle of similar triangles to solve this problem.
"Corresponding sides of similar triangles are proportional"
Imagine the man (m) as representing the height of a right triangle while his shadow (b) represents the base of this triangle.
Similarly, the height of the flagpole (h) represents the height of a similar right triangle while the shadow (s) represents the base of this triangle.
You can form a proportion to represent the situation given in the problem:
"The height of the man is proportional to the height of the flagpole as the length of the man's shadow is to the length of the flagpole's shadow."
m%2Fb+=+h%2Fs Substitute the given numbers: m = 6ft., s = 7.8ft., h = the height of the flagpole (to be determined), and s = 195ft.
6%2F7.8+=+h%2F195 Multiply both sides by 195.
6%28195%29%2F7.8+=+h so...
h+=+150feet. This is the height of the flagpole.