Question 895806
tan(42) = 1.8/x


x = 1.8/tan(42)


x = 1.999... 


this is reasonable since, if the angle was 45 degrees, the shadow would have been 1.8 meters.


1.8 is the opposite side of the angle.
x is the adjacent side of the angle.
the hypotenuse of the right triangle formed is the direct line from the end of the shadow to the sun.


that line and the ground form the angle of elevation.


here's a picture:


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