Question 3926
in a right angled triangle, tanX=opp/adj.


If the angle X is 45 degrees, then tan45=1, ie the opposite and the adjacent side lengths are the same.


So, if you have a stick that is the same length as your arm from shoulder to hand and you hold your arm horizontally with the stick at arms length, vertically upwards, then the angle you make looking at the top of the stick is 45 degrees. This is a rough estimate remember.


Now, all you have to do it walk back and forth looking at the light, until the light and the stick fully coincide. Now the triangle you have formed with the light has an angle of 45 degrees too, so the height of the light is the same as the distance it is from your standpoint (plus or minus a bit, since you should get as close to the ground to do it) --> so sit down on the ground and do it that way and you should be fairly close in your estimate. All with no calculator!


Just get a stick the length of your arm. Or better still, start with something you know the height of and stand that distance away and then get a stick and mark off where on the stick, th etop of the height comes, then saw your stick to that height. Then you should have a calibrated stick. WOW! :-)


Jon.