a flagpole that is 24 feet tall casts a shadow that is 8 feet long, and man that is 6 feet tall casts a shadow that is x feet long. what is the value of x?

Question

a flagpole that is 24 feet tall casts a shadow that is 8 feet long, and man that is 6 feet tall casts a shadow that is x feet long. what is the value of x?

Answer 1

Hi Bob,

Draw two right triangles to help you understand- these two triangles are similar - so their sides are proportional.

side corresponding to 24 ft flagpole would be 6ft( man)

so you have to find the side corresponding to the 8 ft shadow . Let that side be x

24:6= 8:x

24/6=8/x

cross multiply

24x= 8*6

x = 48/24

x=2

the shadow cast by the man would be 2ft.

if you now go back and check the two triangles you will see that the corresponding sides are in the ratio

4:1

hope this helps