SOLUTION: Hello, Im taking college algebra and being introduced to trig; I am allowed to use excel, but that doesn't help if I don't know what is going on in the problem, for I am unsure whe

Algebra ->  Trigonometry-basics -> SOLUTION: Hello, Im taking college algebra and being introduced to trig; I am allowed to use excel, but that doesn't help if I don't know what is going on in the problem, for I am unsure whe      Log On


   

Question 813659: Hello, Im taking college algebra and being introduced to trig; I am allowed to use excel, but that doesn't help if I don't know what is going on in the problem, for I am unsure where to type in my numbers. I was wondering if someone can help me work this problem out with pencil -- maybe if I understood what was going on then I could take advantage of excel. I'm lost with the Sin, Cos, Secs, and Tans. Thanks in advance!! Here's my problem (no pun intended)
A plane takes off making a 18 degree angle with the ground. After the plane travels two miles at this angle, how high is the plane?
Answer by ewatrrr(24785) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
 

Hi,



sin θ = +opp%2Fhyp ****

cos θ  = +adj%2Fhyp

tan θ = ++opp%2Fadj

A plane takes off making a 18 degree angle with the ground. 

After the plane travels two miles at this angle, how high is the plane?

hyp = 2 mi , a = how high the plane is

 sin(18°) = a/2

2sin(18°) = a