Sine and cosine law in oblique triangles

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a word problem involving the leaning tower of Pisa, specifically applying the sine and cosine laws in the context of oblique triangles to determine the slant height of the tower and its height above ground based on given angles and shadow length.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the slant height and height of the tower using trigonometric relationships, specifically the sine law and basic trigonometric ratios. Some participants question the direction of the shadow in relation to the tower's lean.

Discussion Status

Participants have provided feedback on the original poster's calculations, with some affirming the correctness of the answers. However, there is no explicit consensus on the methods used or the interpretation of the shadow's direction.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of uncertainty regarding the correctness of the calculations, as the original poster notes that the two computed heights are close but not identical. Additionally, there is a reference to the original poster's self-identified struggle with trigonometry.

aisha
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Word Problem
The leaning tower of pisa leans toward the south at an angle of 5.5 degrees. One day a shadow was 90 m long and the elevation from the tip of the shadow to the top of the tower was 32 degrees

1)Determine the slant height of the tower.

First I found all the angles and then i used the sine law and got the slant to be 53.29 metres.

2) How high is the tip of the tower above ground?

I had a line from the tip of the tower perpendicular to the shadow and using sin=opposite/hypotenuse I determined what the opposite length was and got 53.04 metres

The two answers are quite close that's why I am not sure if I did this correctly can someone please check :redface:
 
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Trigonometery is not my stong point, but I want to ask does it tell which direction the shadow of the tower is pointing?
 
From my expiences with these types of problems, id say the shadow is where the tower is leaning.
 
Okay, you ur awnsers, are corrent. :smile:
 
Last edited:
53.04 m is the right answer. Good job! :smile:
 

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