Question

How do u set up the word problem

Answer 1

Answer:

8 feet

Step-by-step explanation:

First, draw a picture.  The pole is 22 feet tall.  Katherine is 5.5 feet tall.  She is 24 feet from the pole.  The light from the top of the pole to the tip of her shadow forms two similar right triangles.  The length of her shadow is x.

Now use similar triangles to write a proportion:

22 / (24 + x) = 5.5 / x

Cross multiply:

22x = 5.5 (24 + x)

Distribute:

22x = 132 + 5.5x

Combine like terms:

16.5x = 132

Divide:

x = 8

The shadow is 8 feet long.