Question

9
kate would like to find the height of her favorite rollercoaster at the amusement park. she noticed that she casts a 2 foot shadow while the rollercoaster casts a 60 foot shadow. if kate is 5 feet tall, how tall is the rollercoaster?
a) 128 feet doing back - flips
b) 135 feet eating pies
c) 150 feet solving equations
d) 154 feet juggling
e) 160 feet wrestling a bear
© gina wilson (all things algebra), 2013

Explanation:

Step1: Set up proportion

Let \( h \) be the height of the rollercoaster. The ratio of height to shadow length should be equal for Kate and the rollercoaster. So, \(\frac{5}{2}=\frac{h}{60}\).

Step2: Solve for \( h \)

Cross - multiply: \( 2h = 5\times60 \). Then \( 2h=300 \). Divide both sides by 2: \( h=\frac{300}{2}=150 \).

Answer:

C) 150 feet solving equations