﻿ Definition and examples indirect measurement | define indirect measurement - Free Math Dictionary Online

Indirect Measurement

Definition of Indirect Measurement

Indirect measurement is a technique that uses proportions to find a measurement when direct measurement is not possible.

Video Examples: Indirect Measurement

Example of Indirect Measurement

    The length of a pole in a picture is given as 4 inches. The scale of the picture is given to be 1 inch : 13 inches. By setting up a proportion, the length n of the actual pole can be found.
     example of   Indirect Measurement
    Solving the proportion, we get n = 52 inches.

Solved Example on Indirect Measurement

Ques: A boy stands on the top of a building and the total length of shadows of the building and the boy is (x + a) ft and the length of the shadow of the boy alone is x ft. If the height of the building is b ft, then find the height of the boy. [Given x = 8, a = 160, b = 80.]

     example of   Indirect Measurement
    A. 4 ft
    B. 3.5 ft
    C. 3 ft
    D. None of the above
    Correct Answer: A


    Step 1: Let h be the height of the boy.
    Step 2: ?ACE ~ ?BCD, because the measure of angle EAC = measure of angle DBC and the measure of angle C = measure of angle C.
    Step 3: Corresponding sides of similar triangles are proportional.
    Step 4: The proportion here is:
       example of   Indirect Measurement
    Step 5: 160(h + 80) = 168 � 80 [Write the cross products.]
    Step 6: 160h + 12,800 = 13,440 [Multiply.]
    Step 7: 160h = 640 [Simplify.]
    Step 8: h = 4 [Divide both sides by 160 and Simplify.]
    Step 9: So, the height of the boy is 4 ft.

Translate :