There is a pole in the lake. One-half of the pole is in the ground, another one-third of it is covered by water, and 12 ft. is out of the water. What is the total length of the pole in feet?

36 ft.

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Originally Posted by Stratmando

32 feet.

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How did you get that

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Siustrulka

There is a pole in the lake. One-half of the pole is in the ground, another one-third of it is covered by water, and 12 ft. is out of the water. What is the total lenght of the pole in feet?

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86.398 feet.

Length of pole =s 100 %.
50 % is in the ground.
33.333 % is covered by water.
===================
83.333 % is covered by water and in the ground.
That leaves 100 % minus 83.333 % or 16.667 % out of the water.
16.667 % +s 12 feet out of the water.
Therefore, one foot of the pole length is 12 ft diviided by 16.667 % or .72 of a foot and
finally 100 % is 100 times .72 or 72 feet.
I take back my first answer.

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Originally Posted by RichardBondMan

86.398 feet.

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How did you get that

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Originally Posted by Siustrulka

how did you get that

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Thank you

I drew 12 boxes stacked on one another, a line in the middle, 6 on top, 6 on bottom.
6 units on bottom, is half in ground,"another 1/3"(of the remainder?)2 units(boxes)is in water. Remainder 2/3rd or 4units (not in water) is 12. 12+ 1/3=18. 18X2=36.

My answer is 36 feet. Now you figure out the portions.

I think the answer is 72ft. But I think there's some ambiguity in the question, I'm assuming that (100-50)-33.33 % is out of the water (1/2 in ground, another 1/3 in water). Whereas the people answering 36ft are assuming that only 1/3 of the remaining 1/2 is covered by water,

I agree with galactus.

I agree with Galactus and Capuchin, A couple of us were figureing 1/3 of the remaining half.
Are we all wondering if this guy is taking a test.

This question actually seems quite common. I think it's some kind of pre-college math quiz thing.

72 ft


.167x = 12
x = 72

1/2 = 3/6
1/3 =2/6
Therefore 1/6 that is left =12 feet
so if 1/6 =12
then 6/6 = 72 feet
I agree with Capuchin and Richard Bond Man the answer is 72 feet

The difference between a third and a half is a sixth. One sixth is in the air and the whole pole is 12 x 6 feet long.

There is a pole in the lake. One-half of the pole is in the ground, another one-third of it is covered by water, and 12 ft. is out of the water. What is the total length of the pole in feet?


1 - 1/2 - 1/3 = 1/6

1/6 of pole = 12 ft

Length of pole = 72