Answer: Length of shorter tree = 7.2 feet .
Step-by-step explanation:
Given : Height of two trees as 50 feet and 20 feet.
At same time the angle made by sun rays would be same for both trees.
Both trees are vertical to the ground making right angle so triangles made by both triangles must be similar.
Corresponding sides of similar triangles are proportional.
So [tex]\dfrac{\text{length of the shadow of the shorter tree}}{\text{height of shorter tree}}=\dfrac{\text{length of the shadow of the bigger tree}}{\text{height of bigger tree}}\\\\=\dfrac{\text{length of the shadow of the shorter tree}}{20}=\dfrac{18}{50}\\\\\Rightarrow\ \text{length of the shadow of the shorter tree}=\dfrac{18}{50}\times20\\\\\Rightarrow\ \text{length of the shadow of the shorter tree} = 7.2[/tex]
So, Length of shorter tree = 7.2 feet .
