document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=136941>Question 136941</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I need help with this story probem.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "While traveling across flat land, you notice a mountian directly in front of you.  The angle of elevation to the peak is 2.5 degrees.  After you drive 17 miles closer to the montain, the angle of elevation is 9 degrees.  Approximate the height of the mountain.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Please help me. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #100221 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><B>stanbon(75887)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=100221\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> While traveling across flat land, you notice a mountian directly in front of you. The angle of elevation to the peak is 2.5 degrees. After you drive 17 miles closer to the montain, the angle of elevation is 9 degrees. Approximate the height of the mountain. <BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Because you are looking from two different positions, you have two right<BR>\n" );
document.write( "triangles that are similar.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "#1 has a 2.5 degree angle opposite the height of the mountain (h).<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "#2 has a 9 degree angle opposite the height of the mountain (h).<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "#1 has a base of (17+x) miles (distance to the mountain on the ground)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "#2 has a base of x miles (distance to the mountain on the ground)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "EQUATIONS:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "From #1: h = (17+x)*tan(2.5)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "From #2: h = x*tan(9)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x*tan(9) = 17*tan(2.5) + x(tan(2.5)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x[tan9 - tan2.5] = 17tan2.5<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = 0.7422/[0.1147<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = 6.469782... miles<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "So, h = xtan9 = 1.0247 miles high<BR>\n" );
document.write( "h = 1.0247*5280 = 5410.48 ft. high<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Stan H.\r<BR>\n" );
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