Question

The length of the shadow of a flagpole was found to be 72 feet. the shadow of a 3 foot picket fence in line with the flagpole was 4 feet. what is the height of the flagpole?

Answer 1

We can solve this problem by simply using ratio and proportion. Let us call the height of the flagpole to be X. Therefore the ratio and proportion would be:

3 ft is to 4 ft and X ft is to 72 ft

3 / 4 = X / 72

X = (3 / 4) * 72

X = 54 ft

The height of the flagpole is 54 ft.