Pole is in a lake. Half of the pole is under the ground, One-third of it is covered by water. 8 ft is out of the water. What could be the possible length of the pole?
48ft is correct Solution: Fraction of pole in the ground = 1/2 Fraction of pole covered by water = 1/3 Fraction of pole in the ground and covered by water = 1/2 + 1/3 = (3 + 2)/6 = 5/6 Fraction of pole out of water = 1 - 5/6 = 1/6 Thus, one-sixth of the pole (out of water) is 8 ft. So, total length of pole = 48 ft. It may be noted that: Length of pole in the ground = 48/2 = 24 ft. Length of pole covered by water = 48/3 = 16 ft. Length of pole out of water = 8 ft. The problem may also be solved by setting up the following equation: x/2 + x/3 + 8 = x where x denotes the total length of the pole in ft. The equation may be solved as shown below. 5x/6 + 8 = x 8 = x - 5x/6 = x/6 x/6 = 8 or x = 48.