SOLUTION: A kite is flying on the end of a 17 m string which makes an angle of 41° to the horizontal. What is the kite's height above the ground? Assume that the string is taut and held 1 m

Algebra ->  Angles -> SOLUTION: A kite is flying on the end of a 17 m string which makes an angle of 41° to the horizontal. What is the kite's height above the ground? Assume that the string is taut and held 1 m       Log On


   

Question 1115980: A kite is flying on the end of a 17 m string which makes an angle of 41° to the horizontal. What is the kite's height above the ground? Assume that the string is taut and held 1 m above the ground, and that the ground is horizontal. Give your answer as a number of metres (not in scientific notation) and to two significant figures.
I've calculated it as 11 m but i think i'm missing out on something
Answer by josgarithmetic(39620) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The string length from person's hand to the kite is the hypotenuse of a right triangle. How high the kite is one of the legs, the leg wanted. Angle opposite this leg is given.

If y is the height of the kite then y%2F17=sin%2841%29.


y=17%2Asin%2841%29----------do what you need.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
the string is taut and held 1 m above the ground,
-----------------------------------------------------------------

That part means, you are looking for y+1.
y%2B1=17%2Asin%2841%29%2B1
y%2B1=youComputeTheExpression


---
answer as a number of metres (not in scientific notation) and to two significant figures.
---

If you calculator shows you 12.1530034928386 with maybe further digits after that, but you want TWO SIGNIFICANT FIGURES, then you want highlight_green%2812%29 meters.

If the instructions said, "to the nearest hundredth" then you would report 12.15 meters.