SOLUTION: If you are standing 85ft from the base of a flagpole,and determine that at ground level,you would need to look up at a 30 degree angle to see the top of the flagpole,how tall is th

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: If you are standing 85ft from the base of a flagpole,and determine that at ground level,you would need to look up at a 30 degree angle to see the top of the flagpole,how tall is th      Log On


   

Question 145814: If you are standing 85ft from the base of a flagpole,and determine that at ground level,you would need to look up at a 30 degree angle to see the top of the flagpole,how tall is the flagpole?Round the height to tenths.
Answer by nerdybill(7384) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Draw a diagram.
It will show that it forms a "right triangle" -- where the three points of the triangle are formed by:
1. bottom of the flag pole
2. top of flag pole
3. eye where the person is looking at the top of the flag pole
.
Because it is a right triangle you can use the relationship of:
tan angle = opposite/adjacent
where:
angle = 30
opposite = length of the flag pole
adjacent = 85
.
tan 30 = x/85
x = (tan 30)85
x = 49.1 feet