SOLUTION: as a balloon rises,its angle of elevation from a point A on level ground 140 m. from the pint B directly under the balloon changes from 30 degrees to 60 degrees .How far does the b

Algebra ->  Trigonometry-basics -> SOLUTION: as a balloon rises,its angle of elevation from a point A on level ground 140 m. from the pint B directly under the balloon changes from 30 degrees to 60 degrees .How far does the b      Log On


   

Question 888434: as a balloon rises,its angle of elevation from a point A on level ground 140 m. from the pint B directly under the balloon changes from 30 degrees to 60 degrees .How far does the balloon rise during this period?
Answer by Theo(13342) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
see the picture below.

check the comments below the picture.

$$$

the picture shows the diagram of the situation as i understand it.

step 1 establishes that BC is equal to 140 * tan(30).

step 2 establishes that BD = 140 * tan(60).

step 3 goes through the calculations to find CD which is equal to BD minus BC.

you could have just used your calculator to find 140 * (tan(60) - tan(30)).

the extra calculations in step 3 were because I used the exact value of tan(30) and tan(60), the resolution of which required more calculations than using your calculator directly.

if you use your calculator, make sure it's in degree mode as you will get a very screwy answer if you have it in radian mode, since the angles are expressed in degrees.