Jacques and a flagpole both cast shadows on the ground. The difference between the lengths of the shadows is 3m. The length of Flagpole is 4m and The length of Jacques is 1.5m



Answer :

Answer:

Length of Jacques' shadow = 1.8 m

Length of flagpole shadow = 4.8 m

Step-by-step explanation:

We are given

  • height of Jacques = 1.5 m
  • height of flagpole = 4 m
  • difference between lengths of shadows = 3m

Let the length of Jacques' shadow  be x and length of flagpole  shadow be y

By proportionality theorem
Ratio of height of Jacques to length of Jacques' shadow
=
Ratio of height of flagpole to length of flagpole shadow

Plugging in values
1.5 : x = 4 : y

In fractional form
[tex]\dfrac{1.5}{x} = \dfrac{4}{y}[/tex]

Cross multiply:
[tex]1.5y=x\cdot \:4[/tex]

Divide by 4 both sides:
[tex]\dfrac{1.5y}{4} = x[/tex]

[tex]0.375y =x[/tex]

or

[tex]x = 0.375y[/tex]

or

[tex]x - 0.375y = 0[/tex]    

We are given that y - x = 3 m  (flagpole shadow has to be > Jacques' shadow)

y-x = 3  can be rearranged as

-x + y = 3

Therefore we get two equations:
x - 0.375y = 0   [1]

-x + y = 3     [2]

Add equations 1 and 2 to eliminate x

x - 0.375y = 0  
   +

-x + y = 3    
----------------

0  + 0.625y = 3

y = 3/0.625

y = 4.8‬ m

Since x = y - 3 this means x = 48 - 3 = 1.8

Length of Jacques' shadow = 1.8 m

Length of flagpole shadow = 4.8 m

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