Problema Solution

A new department store opens on a hot summer

day. Kathy’s job is to stand outside the main entrance

and hand out a special supplement to incoming

customers. The building is 30 feet tall and

casts a shadow 8 feet wide in front of the store. If

Kathy is 5 feet 6 inches tall, how far away from the

building can she stand and still be in the shade?

Round to the nearest hundredth.

Answer provided by our tutors

Let x = the length of Kathy's shadow


1 in = 1/12 ft


5 ft 6 in = 5 + 6/12 = 5.5 ft


30 : 8 = 5.5 : x


by solving we find


x = 22/15 ft


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8 - 22/15 = 98/15 = 6.53 ft


Kathy can stand 6.53 ft away from the building and still be in the shade.