A flagpole casts a shadow that is 23 feet long. Jorge is 5.25 feet tall, and while standing near the flagpole he casts a shadow that is 3 feet long. How tall is the flagpole?
To determine the height of the flagpole, we can set up a proportion using the information given. The ratio of Jorge's height to his shadow length should be the same as the ratio of the flagpole's height to its shadow length.
Let's denote the height of the flagpole as "x". The proportion can be set up as follows:
Jorge's height / Jorge's shadow length = Flagpole's height / Flagpole's shadow length
Substituting the given values:
5.25 feet / 3 feet = x / 23 feet
To solve for "x", we can cross-multiply and then divide:
5.25 feet * 23 feet = 3 feet * x
120.75 square feet = 3x
Divide both sides by 3:
40.25 feet = x
Therefore, the height of the flagpole is approximately 40.25 feet.
using similar triangles,
h/23 = 5.25/3