MATH HW Question?

Question

27. Alyssa was on vacationn in Yelow Stone National Park with her family and placed a irroe on the ground d1 feet from the flagpol. Alyssa then walked backwards until she was able to see the top of the pole in the miror. Her eyes are 5ft above the ground and she is d2 feet from the mirror. Using similar triaangles, find the height of the flagpole if
d1 = 56 ft and d2 = 9 ft
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Please help! List out your process or just show me how you did the problem.

I already have a picture I just need to solve the problem!

Answer 1

this is the drawing for it: http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/maj2001gma/math.jpg

since the triangles are similar, their measurements are proportional. so set up an equation:

d1/h1 = d2/h2

so...

56/x = 9/5

then cross multiply (x times 9 and 56 times 5)

9x = 56(5)
9x = 280
x = 31.1 ft

so the height of the flagpole is 31.1 feet

Answer 2

You set up a ratio so that:
(Alyssa's height)/(x) = (9 ft)/(56 ft). This uses the AAS correlation between two similar triangles (since they're right triangles and also the angles reflected in the mirror are congruent...you can follow the rest if you want.)

A site with a close representation:
http://matcmadison.edu/ald/lab/geometry/similar.htm

Answer 3

Draw out a picture. You won't learn by just getting an answer from this site.

The answer is obvious after you draw the picture where the similar triangles are.
I get a flag pole that is 31 1/9 ft high.

Answer 4

first you need to sketch your triangles, in this case it sounds like a smaller triangle inside a bigger triangle. you set this up as proportional........Example: Known side of larger triangle as numerator/(over) corresponding side of smaller triangle = unknown side of larger triangle over corresponding side of smaller. so the problem should look like this 56/9 = X/5 then solve for X .......I'm sure you can do that :)

Answer 5

duh its a triangle
ever heard
of the
Graham's THEOREM ?????