Question 611038: A tree 15 m high casts a shadow 8 m long. To the nearest degree, what is the angle of elevation of the sun? Also, how do I know which angle the elevation of the sun is? Is it the bottom or the top angle?
*I am supposed to solve this using sin, cos, or tan. Thank you!
Answer by stanbon(75887)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! A tree 15 m high casts a shadow 8 m long. To the nearest degree, what is the angle of elevation of the sun? Also, how do I know which angle the elevation of the sun is? Is it the bottom or the top angle?
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Draw the picture:
You have a right triangle with:
height = 15
base = 8
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Angle opposite the height is the angle of elevation.
Call that angle "x":
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Equation:
tan(x) = 15/8
x = tan^-1[15/8] = 61.93 degrees
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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