the man's shadow was 4 feet 6 inches. The length of the tree's shadow was 12 feet. What is the height of the tree?

Answer: 16ft.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let's assume the height of the man is 6ft.

In order to get an accurate answer it is good to convert all the figures to meters.

The man's shadow 4ft6inches = 1.372m

The tree's shadow 12ft = 3.658m

Man's height 6ft = 1.829

Then height and shadows can be compared together in form of similar triangles.

Let x be the height of the tree

X / 3.685 = 1.829/1.372

X / 3.685 = 1.333

X = 4.876m

Converting back to ft we have 16 ft.

(Note 1ft 0.3048 metres.)