Question

A palm tree casts a shadow that is 28 feet long. A 6-foot sign casts a shadow 8 feet long.

Answer 1

Answer: The height of the palm tree is 21 feet.

Step-by-step explanation:

We can use a ratio to solve this:

Actual height to shadow for both objects. The fraction equivalents must be equal.

6/8 = x/28 . Cross multiply

6(28) = 8x

168 = 8x   Divide both sides by 8  (8's "cancel" on the right)

168/8 =8x/8

21 = x . This gives us the tree's height as 21 feet.

Another way to solve this is to use the ratios, but simplify the first fraction

6/8 = 3/4

Then multiply the length of the shadow by 3/4

3/4 × 28 = height

28÷4 = 7    7 × 3 = 21

21  feet= the height of the palm tree.