A flagpole 6.3 m long is driven 1.4 m into the ground. What fraction of the pole is above the ground?
Answer (1)
Calculate the length of the flagpole above the ground: 6.3 − 1.4 = 4.9 m.
Calculate the fraction of the flagpole above the ground: 6.3 4.9 .
Simplify the fraction: 6.3 4.9 = 9 7 .
The fraction of the pole above the ground is 9 7 .
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are given that a flagpole is 6.3 m long and is driven 1.4 m into the ground. We want to find the fraction of the pole that is above the ground.
Calculating Length Above Ground First, we need to find the length of the flagpole that is above the ground. To do this, we subtract the length of the pole in the ground from the total length of the pole: 6.3 − 1.4 = 4.9 So, 4.9 m of the flagpole is above the ground.
Calculating the Fraction Now, we need to find the fraction of the pole that is above the ground. To do this, we divide the length above the ground by the total length of the pole: 6.3 4.9 To simplify this fraction, we can divide both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 0.7: 6.3 ÷ 0.7 4.9 ÷ 0.7 = 9 7 Alternatively, we can directly convert the decimal fraction to a simplified fraction.
Final Answer Therefore, the fraction of the flagpole that is above the ground is 9 7 .
Examples
Imagine you're building a model skyscraper and need to know what proportion of each support beam will be visible once it's partially embedded in the base. This problem is similar to calculating how much of the flagpole is above ground. Understanding fractions helps in various construction and design scenarios, ensuring structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. By calculating the visible fraction, you can plan the design accurately and ensure the model looks realistic and is structurally sound.
