Angles of Elevation and Depression: Finding the Height of a Flagpole

This video tutorial covers the concepts of angles of elevation and depression, focusing on their application in solving problems involving right triangles. It reviews trigonometric ratios such as sine, cosine, and tangent, and explains how to use these ratios to solve real-world problems. The tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to solving problems involving angles of elevation or depression, including drawing diagrams, setting up equations, and solving for unknowns. An example problem is presented, calculating the height of a flagpole using the angle of elevation.

Which trigonometric ratio is defined as the length of the leg opposite an angle divided by the length of the hypotenuse?

• Sine

• Cosine

• Cotangent

• Tangent

What is the angle of elevation?

• The angle between two horizontal lines

• The angle between the line of sight and a horizontal line above

• The angle between the line of sight and a horizontal line below

• The angle between the line of sight and a vertical line

In the context of angles, what does the angle of depression refer to?

• An angle that starts at an upper point and moves downward

• An angle that starts at a lower point and moves upward

• An angle that is always 90 degrees

• An angle that is always less than 45 degrees

What is the first step in solving problems involving angles of elevation or depression?

• Set up an equation using a trigonometric ratio

• Draw a picture if it's not given

• Use a scientific calculator

• Answer the original question

In the flagpole problem, which trigonometric ratio is used to find the height of the flagpole?

• Sine

• Cosine

• Tangent

• Secant