SOLUTION: From a point on level ground 60 feet from the base of a tree, the angle between the ground and the line of sight to the top of the tree is 42 degrees, how tall is the tree to the n

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Question 368400: From a point on level ground 60 feet from the base of a tree, the angle between the ground and the line of sight to the top of the tree is 42 degrees, how tall is the tree to the nearest foot?
Found 2 solutions by ewatrrr, nyc_function:
Answer by ewatrrr(24785) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Hi

tan 42° = opp/adj

let x be the height of the tree

tan 42° = x/60ft

60ft*tan42°  = x

54ft = x, the height of the tree

Answer by nyc_function(2741) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
To find the height of the tree, we use the tangent function from trigonometry.

The point which is 60 feet away from the base of the tree and the line of sight create a right triangle for us.

tangent = opposite side of triangle divided by the adjacent side of triangle.

Let h = height of tree

tan42 = h/60

tan42(60) = h

54.02424266 = h

To nearest foot, the tree is 54 feet.