8.5 Trig Word Problems

Front

What is the angle of elevation?

Back

The angle of elevation is the angle formed by the horizontal line and the line of sight to an object above the horizontal level.

Front

How do you find the height of an object using trigonometry?

Back

You can use the tangent function: height = distance from the object * tan(angle of elevation).

Front

What trigonometric function is used to find the height of an object when given the distance and angle of elevation?

Back

Tangent (tan) is used to find the height when you have the distance and angle of elevation.

Front

If a tree is 10 ft tall and casts a shadow of 15 ft, what is the angle of elevation of the sun?

Back

34 degrees.

Front

How do you calculate the length of a shadow based on height and angle of elevation?

Back

Length of shadow = height / tan(angle of elevation).

Front

What is the relationship between the height of an object and the angle of elevation?

Back

As the angle of elevation increases, the height of the object appears to increase for a fixed distance.

Front

If you are 10 feet away from a tree and looking up at a 48 degree angle, how do you find the height of the cat in the tree?

Back

Use the formula: height = distance * tan(angle of elevation).

Front

What is the formula for finding the horizontal distance when given the length of a hypotenuse and height?

Back

Horizontal distance = sqrt(hypotenuse^2 - height^2).

Front

What is the sine function used for in trigonometry?

Back

Sine is used to find the ratio of the opposite side to the hypotenuse in a right triangle.

Front

What is the cosine function used for in trigonometry?

Back

Cosine is used to find the ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse in a right triangle.