The flagpole at an elementary school casts a shadow 9​'9​" long at the same time that a​ teacher's shadow is 3​'2​" long. If the teacher is 6​'3​" ​tall, how tall is the​ flagpole, to the nearest​ foot?


To find the height of the flagpole, we can use the concept of **similar triangles**. The teacher and the flagpole are casting shadows at the same time, so the triangles formed by the teacher and their shadow and the flagpole and its shadow are similar.

The ratio of the height of the teacher to their shadow will be the same as the ratio of the height of the flagpole to its shadow. Let’s break this down:

1. **Height of the teacher:** \( 6'3" = 6 \text{ feet } + \frac{3}{12} \text{ feet } = 6.25 \text{ feet} \)
2. **Length of the teacher's shadow:** \( 3'2" = 3 \text{ feet } + \frac{2}{12} \text{ feet } = 3.1667 \text{ feet} \)
3. **Length of the flagpole's shadow:** \( 9'9" = 9 \text{ feet } + \frac{9}{12} \text{ feet } = 9.75 \text{ feet} \)

Now, let \( h \) be the height of the flagpole. Using the ratio of similar triangles, we set up the following proportion:

\[
\frac{6.25}{3.1667} = \frac{h}{9.75}
\]

Now, solve for \( h \):

\[
h = \frac{6.25}{3.1667} \times 9.75
\]

Let me calculate this.The height of the flagpole is approximately **19 feet**, to the nearest foot.

Would you like further details on the calculation? Here are some related questions you might find helpful:

1. What are similar triangles, and why are they useful in geometry?
2. How can proportions help solve real-world problems like this one?
3. How do you convert between feet and inches in mathematical calculations?
4. How can shadows be used to estimate heights of objects?
5. How does rounding affect the accuracy of real-world measurements?

**Tip:** Always double-check unit conversions (like feet to inches) to ensure accuracy in your calculations.

The flagpole at an elementary school casts a shadow 9'9" long at the same time that a teacher's shadow is 3'2" long. If the teacher is 6'3" tall, how tall is the flagpole, to the nearest foot?

Learn how to calculate the height of a flagpole using similar triangles and proportions. The teacher's height and shadow length provide a reference for determining the flagpole's height to the nearest foot. Perfect for students in Grades 6-8 studying geometry.

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