Question

unit 2 lesson 2 practice 1: solve problems using similar triangles
for help with question 4, refer to example 1.

1. on a sunny day josees shadow is 2.9 m long, while the shadow of a tower is 11.3 m long. if josee is 1.8 m tall, calculate the height of the tower.

Explanation:

Step1: Set up proportion

Since the triangles formed by Josee and her shadow, and the tower and its shadow are similar, the ratios of their corresponding sides are equal. Let $h$ be the height of the tower. The proportion is $\frac{1.8}{2.9}=\frac{h}{11.3}$.

Step2: Solve for $h$

Cross - multiply to get $2.9h = 1.8\times11.3$. Then $h=\frac{1.8\times11.3}{2.9}$. Calculate $1.8\times11.3 = 20.34$, so $h=\frac{20.34}{2.9}\approx6.98$ m.

Answer:

$6.98$ m