Math Problem Statement

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?

Solution

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: 63"=6 feet +312 feet =6.25 feet6'3" = 6 \text{ feet } + \frac{3}{12} \text{ feet } = 6.25 \text{ feet}
  2. Length of the teacher's shadow: 32"=3 feet +212 feet =3.1667 feet3'2" = 3 \text{ feet } + \frac{2}{12} \text{ feet } = 3.1667 \text{ feet}
  3. Length of the flagpole's shadow: 99"=9 feet +912 feet =9.75 feet9'9" = 9 \text{ feet } + \frac{9}{12} \text{ feet } = 9.75 \text{ feet}

Now, let hh be the height of the flagpole. Using the ratio of similar triangles, we set up the following proportion:

6.253.1667=h9.75\frac{6.25}{3.1667} = \frac{h}{9.75}

Now, solve for hh:

h=6.253.1667×9.75h = \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.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometry
Similar Triangles
Proportions

Formulas

Height of object / Length of shadow = Height of reference object / Length of its shadow

Theorems

Similar Triangles Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 6-8