Geometric Transformation Question

Question

Two similar flagpoles are on either side of a park. The taller of the two flagpoles is 40 feet tall and casts a 32-foot shadow.  If the smaller of the two flagpoles cast a 20-foot shadow, how tall is it?

Answer 1

Set up a proportion:

height taller = height smaller

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

shadow taller shadow smaller

We are given all of these measurements except height smaller. Substitute given values into the above proportion and solve for height smaller.