Search SchoolNGR

Sunday, 05 April 2026
Register . Login

A boy 1.2m tall, stands 6m away from the foot of a vertical lamp pole 4.2m long. If the ...

A boy 1.2m tall, stands 6m away from the foot of a vertical lamp pole 4.2m long. If the lamp is at the tip of the pole,
(a) represent this information in a diagram ;
(b) calculate the (i) length of the shadow of the boy cast by the lamp ; (ii) angle of elevation of the lamp from the boy, correct to the nearest degree.
Take Free Practice Test On 2026 JAMB UTME, Post UTME, WAEC SSCE, GCE, NECO SSCE
    Correct Answer: Option n
    Explanation:

    (a)
    (b) \(\tan \theta = \frac{4.2}{6 + x} ; \tan \theta = \frac{1.2}{x}\)
    \(\tan \theta = \tan \theta\)
    \(\implies \frac{4.2}{6 + x} = \frac{1.2}{x}\)
    \(4.2 x = 1.2(6 + x) \)
    \(4.2 x = 7.2 + 1.2 x \implies 4.2x - 1.2x = 7.2\)
    \(3x = 7.2 \implies x = 2.4 m\) (length of the shadow cast by the lamp)
    (ii) \(\tan \theta = \frac{1.2}{2.4} = 0.5\)
    \(\theta = \tan^{-1} (0.5) \)
    = \(27°\) (angle of elevation)

    Share question on: