1999 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 1999 · General Studies
Question 140: Basic Numeracy
A man is standing on the 8 m long shadow of a 6 m long pole. If the length of his shadow is 2.4 m, what is the height of the man?
a1.4 m
b1.6 m
c1.8 m
d2.0 m
AnswerThe answer is (c).
The pole and the man stand in the same sunlight, so height divided by shadow length is the same for both. Pole: 6 / 8 = 0.75. Man: height = 0.75 x 2.4 = 1.8 m. Remember: similar triangles keep height and shadow in the same ratio.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. 1.4 / 2.4 is about 0.58, not 0.75.
- (b) Wrong. 1.6 / 2.4 is about 0.67, not 0.75.
- (c) Right. 1.8 / 2.4 = 0.75.
- (d) Wrong. 2.0 / 2.4 is about 0.83, not 0.75.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1999, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.