SOLUTION: the ratio of the length of a rod and its shadow is 1:root3. what is the altitude of the sun?

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: the ratio of the length of a rod and its shadow is 1:root3. what is the altitude of the sun?      Log On


   

Question 209219: the ratio of the length of a rod and its shadow is 1:root3. what is the altitude of the sun?
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
"Altitude"? Perhaps you mean "angle of elevation"
The angle of elevation is the angle (A) formed between the ground and the line-of-sight from the end of the rod's shadow to to top of the rod.
The given ratio of 1%3Asqrt%283%29 is the tangent of the angle (A) of elevation. To find the angle, take the inverse tangent, often written as Tan%5E%28-1%29%28A%29, (the angle whose tangent is A) which can be found on your calculator.
Tan%5E%28-1%29%281%2Fsqrt%283%29%29+=+30
The angle of elevation of the sun is 30 degrees.
The altitude of the sun?...93,000,000 miles?