Similar Triangles Word Problems

Last updated over 5 years ago

12 questions

Note from the author:

Using indirect measurement to find the lengths/heights of objects with similar figures.

Problem #1 

A 4-foot tall baby elephant castst a 6-foot shadow standing next to a truck.  If the truck casts a shadow that is 9-feet long, then how tall is it?

Draw a picture of the situation

AQR.9-12.2.D

What is the height of the truck?

AQR.9-12.2.D

Problem #2

A 16-foot tall giraffe casts an 8-foot shadow next to a tree. If the shadow of the tree is 14-feet, how tall is the tree?

Draw a picture of the situation.

AQR.9-12.2.D

How tall is the tree?

AQR.9-12.2.D

Problem #3

A 6-foot tall woman casts a shadow that is 18 feet long.  What is the height of a Ferris Wheel that casts a 60-foot shadow?

Draw a picture of the situation.

AQR.9-12.2.D

The height of the Ferris Wheel is?

AQR.9-12.2.D

Problem #4

A 15-foot flagpole casts a shadow that is 37.5 feet long.  How tall is a building that casts a shadow 75 feet long?

Draw a picture of the situation.

AQR.9-12.2.D

The building is _____ feet high.

AQR.9-12.1.D

Problem #5

A house is 21-feet tall.  If the shadow of a yardstick held bertically to the ground is 1 foot, how long will the shadow of the house be?

Draw a picture of the situation.

AQR.9-12.2.D

The house's shadow is ______ feet long.

AQR.9-12.2.D

An 8-inch tall kitten casts a 2-foot shadow.  If a dog casts a 3-foot shadow, how tall is the dog.
(remember 1-foot = 12 inches)

Draw a picture for the situation.

AQR.9-12.2.D

How tall is the dog?

AQR.9-12.2.D