SOLUTION: Wheelchair ramps require specific ratios of height to length to make them useable by people who use wheelchairs. In this project, you'll investigate the angles and distances of the

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: Wheelchair ramps require specific ratios of height to length to make them useable by people who use wheelchairs. In this project, you'll investigate the angles and distances of the      Log On


   

Question 1062398: Wheelchair ramps require specific ratios of height to length to make them useable by people who use wheelchairs. In this project, you'll investigate the angles and distances of these ramps. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires a slope of no more than 1:12 for wheelchairs and scooters for business and public use.
A new store will need a ramp whose angle of elevation (the angle formed where the ramp touches the ground) is 3.5° and whose length is 36 inches. In triangle ABC, angle A is the angle of elevation and segment AC represents the ramp.
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Which trigonometric ratio could you use to solve for BC, the height of the threshold to the store?
sin⁡ B
cos ⁡A
cos ⁡B
sin⁡ A
Solve for BC in the previous question. Round your answer to the nearest tenth.
Which trigonometric ratio could you use to solve for AB?
sin ⁡A
cos ⁡A
sin ⁡B
cos ⁡B
Solve for AB in the previous question. Round your answer to the nearest tenth.
NEED HELP INSTRUCTIONS


Found 2 solutions by ikleyn, Boreal:
Answer by ikleyn(52790) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
BC = 36*sin(3.5°) = 36*sin(A).

AB = 36*cos(3.5°) = 36*cos(A).

sine is the ratio of the opposite leg to the hypotenuse.

cosine is the ratio of the adjacent leg to the hypotenuse.


Answer by Boreal(15235) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
C
|a
|
|B==================Angle A
The ramp is between angle A and a. That is the hypotenuse. The side a is the opposite.
sin A=a/hypotenuse.
sin 3.5 deg=a/36
a=36 sin 3.5=2.2 inches
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For AB, it is the tangent, opposite (2.2) over adjacent (unknown)
tan 3.5=2.2/AB
AB=2.2/tan 3.5=36 to nearest tenth. A side is not equal to the hypotenuse, however, because to two decimal places it is 35.97 in.