Question

One-third of a bamboo pole is buried in mud, one-sixth of it is in water and the part above the water is greater than or equal to 3 metres. Find the length of the shortest pole.

Answer 1

Let the length of the shortest pole = x metre

Length of pole which is buried in mud = `x/(3)`

Length of pole which is in the water = `x/(6)`
According to this problem,

`x - [x/3 + x/6] ≥ 3`

⇒ `x - ((2x + x)/6) ≥ 3`

⇒ `x - x/(2) ≥  3`

⇒ `x/(2) ≥ 3`
⇒ x ≥ 6
∴ Length of pole (shortest in length) = 6 meters.