Question

a granite column is 12 meters tall. its shadow is 16 meters long. close by, there is a birch tree that is 9 meters tall. how long is the birch trees shadow? write your answer as a whole number or a decimal. do not round..
meters
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Explanation:

Step1: Set up proportion

Let \( x \) be the length of the birch tree's shadow. The ratio of height to shadow length should be equal for both the column and the tree. So, \(\frac{12}{16}=\frac{9}{x}\).

Step2: Cross - multiply and solve

Cross - multiplying gives \( 12x = 16\times9 \). Calculate \( 16\times9 = 144 \), so \( 12x = 144 \). Then, divide both sides by 12: \( x=\frac{144}{12}=12 \).

Answer:

12