SOLUTION: the angle of depression from the top of a flagpole to a twig on the ground is is 40 degrees. the flagpole is 6 feet tall. how far away is the golf ball from the bottom/base of the

Algebra ->  Trigonometry-basics -> SOLUTION: the angle of depression from the top of a flagpole to a twig on the ground is is 40 degrees. the flagpole is 6 feet tall. how far away is the golf ball from the bottom/base of the      Log On


   

Question 1061743: the angle of depression from the top of a flagpole to a twig on the ground is is 40 degrees. the flagpole is 6 feet tall. how far away is the golf ball from the bottom/base of the flagpole. what if it was 50 degrees?
Found 2 solutions by Edwin McCravy, josgarithmetic:
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20060) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
No flagpole is only 6 feet tall

Answer by josgarithmetic(39621) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
That means, starting at the top and rotating downward, the angle at the top of the flagpole is 90-40=50, degrees. The top of the pole, the spot on ground at bottom of the pole, and the twig form a right triangle. The angle where the twig is will be t%2B50%2B90=180, meaning t=40 degrees.

x, how far between flagpole bottom and the twig:
given flagpole is 6 feet tall,
6%2Fx=tan%2840%29

x%2F6=1%2Ftan%2840%29

highlight%28x=6%2Ftan%2840%29%29---------compute this with the help either of scientific calculator or trigonometric table.