Paula is 6 feet tall and walking away from a lamppost that is 20 feet tall. What is the length of her shadow when she is 10 feet from the lamppost? Round your answer to the nearest tenth of a foot.

Answer 1

6 feet tall

10 feet from 20 foot lamp post

construct 2 right triangles

larger one is 20 height, base 10+x

smaller one is 6 height, base =x

they are similar triangles

x/(10+x) = 6/20 = 3/10

cross multiply

10x = 30+3x

7x = 30

x = 30/7 = 4 2/7 feet = length of her shadow