Question

ruth found that an iron post that is 4 feet tall casts a shadow 3 feet long. then ruth noticed a nearby lemon tree that is 12 feet tall. how long is the lemon trees shadow? write your answer as a whole number or a decimal. do not round. feet

Explanation:

Step1: Set up proportion

Let \(x\) be the length of the lemon tree's shadow. Since the ratio of height to shadow length is the same for both objects, we have the proportion \(\frac{4}{3}=\frac{12}{x}\).

Step2: Cross - multiply

Cross - multiplying gives \(4x = 3\times12\).

Step3: Solve for \(x\)

First, calculate \(3\times12 = 36\). Then, \(4x=36\), so \(x=\frac{36}{4}\).

Answer:

\(9\)