I Need Help With This Problem

Question

A water tower is  feet tall and casts a shadow  feet long, while a child casts a shadow  feet long. How tall is the child?

Answer 1

You will need to set up a proportion to find the height of the child.

48⁄72 = x⁄6

The ratio on the left side of the proportion represents the height of the water tower(48 ft) compared to it's shadow(72 ft). The ratio on the right side of the proportion represents the height of the child (x ft) compared to the child's shadow(6 ft).

Once you have the proportion set up, cross multiply to form the following equation: 48 • 6 = 72 • x. To solve the equation, multiply 48•6 and then divide by 72. Hope this helps!!!

Answer 2

We can set up a proportion where the ratio of tower height to tower shadow equals the ratio of child height to child shadow:

Tower Height Child Height

------------------ = -----------------

Tower Shadow Child Shadow

Tower Height = 48 ft

Tower Shadow = 72 ft

Child Shadow = 6 ft

Plug in those numbers:

48 = Child Height

------ -----------------

72 6

cross multiply:

Child Height * 72 = 48 * 6

Child Height = 48 * 6 / 72 = 4 ft.

Answer 3

You want to use proportions.

Set it up with actual height/shadow and set equal with x being the unknown.

water tower height/water tower shadow = child height/child shadow

48/72 = x/6

cross multiply: 48(6) = 72x

simplify: 288 = 72x

divide by 72. 4 ft = x