SOLUTION: Pat measures the length of the shadow of a tree to be 54 feet long. At the same time he measures his own shadow to be 12 feet long and his height to be 5 feet. how tall is the tree

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Question 308515: Pat measures the length of the shadow of a tree to be 54 feet long. At the same time he measures his own shadow to be 12 feet long and his height to be 5 feet. how tall is the tree in feet?
Answer by rapaljer(4671) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x= height of the tree

Set up the ratio:
%28Height%29%2F%28Shadow%29=5%2F12=x%2F54

Since a%2Fb=c%2Fd means ad=bc,
5%2F12=x%2F54 means 5%2A54=12x
270=12x
x=270%2F12= 22.5 feet.

Dr. Robert J. Rapalje, Retired