Word Problem

Question

At a certain time of day, a tree that is x meters tall casts a shadow that is x-14 meters long. If the distance from the top of the tree to the end of the shadow is x+2 meters long, what is the height, x, of the tree?

Answer 1

Set this problem up as a right triangle diagram with...

 

vertical leg      = x

horizontal leg = x-14

hypotenuse    = x+2

 

Substitute these expressions into the Pythagorean Theorum

A²+B²=C², then simplify, and solve for "x".