SOLUTION: An airplane is observed to be approaching a point at a distance of 12km from the point of observation and makes an angle of elevation of 50°. Find the height of the airplane above

Algebra ->  Trigonometry-basics -> SOLUTION: An airplane is observed to be approaching a point at a distance of 12km from the point of observation and makes an angle of elevation of 50°. Find the height of the airplane above      Log On


   



Question 1202761: An airplane is observed to be approaching a point at a distance of 12km from the point of observation and makes an angle of elevation of 50°. Find the height of the airplane above the ground.

Found 2 solutions by ikleyn, math_tutor2020:
Answer by ikleyn(52792) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

The relevant figure is a right angled triangle with the hypotenuse of 12 km 
and with an acute angle of 50° at the observation point on the ground level.


They want you find the opposite leg (which represents the height).


It is  12%2Asin%2850%5Eo%29 kilometers.


Use your calculator and complete calculation on your own  (since it is elementary).

Happy calculations  ( ! )



Answer by math_tutor2020(3817) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


sin(angle) = opposite/hypotenuse
sin(50) = h/12
h = 12*sin(50)
h = 9.19253331742773
h = 9.2

The height of the airplane is approximately 9.2 km.
Round that however needed.


Extra info:
9.2 km = 5.7166 miles = 30183.727 feet approximately