Angle of Elevation and Depression

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter hiineko
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Angle Depression
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving a geometry problem involving angles of elevation and depression between two buildings. A man on a 48.5-meter tall building observes a second building with angles of depression of 50 degrees and 80 degrees from the top and bottom, respectively. The height of the observer's eyes is 1.5 meters above the ground. Participants suggest using trigonometric functions, specifically tangent, to derive the height of the second building by eliminating the unknown distance between the buildings.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of trigonometric functions, particularly tangent
  • Familiarity with angles of elevation and depression
  • Basic knowledge of geometry involving right triangles
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to apply trigonometric ratios in real-world problems
  • Study the concept of angles of elevation and depression in depth
  • Explore solving problems involving right triangles using the tangent function
  • Practice deriving equations from geometric relationships
USEFUL FOR

Students studying geometry, educators teaching trigonometry, and anyone interested in applying mathematical concepts to solve practical problems involving angles and heights.

hiineko
Messages
63
Reaction score
1
A man is standing on a 48.5 building and is looking on a second building. The angle of depression of the top and foot of the second building is 50 degrees and 80 degrees, respectively. What is the height of the second building? The height from the foot to the eye of the man is 1.5 m.

Hello guys!
I tried answering this problem and I kind of a lost of what to do here. This is my illustration, I don't know if I drew the correct illustration. Any help for answering this hard question (for me lol) will be appreciated. Thank you and God bless!
hKtFkD0.png
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
What have you tried till now ?
 
Qwertywerty said:
What have you tried till now ?

First I tried getting it using soh cah toa which I got really lost because I don't know how will I apply soh cah toa here.
I have the angle but I don't know how to use the 48.5 and 1.5.
 
hiineko said:
First I tried getting it using soh cah toa which I got really lost because I don't know how will I apply soh cah toa here.

What is ' soh cah toa ' ?
 
Qwertywerty said:
What is ' soh cah toa ' ?
Uhhh like this?

Ov8AoyO.png
 
Take distance between the two buildings as , say , d .

Write the formula for tan twice . Eliminate d . Solve .

Qwertywerty said:
What is ' soh cah toa ' ?
hiineko said:
Uhhh like this?

I haven't heard of that before .
 
Qwertywerty said:
Take distance between the two buildings as , say , d .

Write the formula for tan twice . Eliminate d . Solve .

I haven't heard of that before .

Okay sir can you be a little specific, I'm getting into it. How do I take the distance between the two buildings sir?
 
There is some unknown distance between the buildings . Let this be a variable d , or any other of your liking .

Let difference in height of buildings be h .
Now write tan from the top of the second building . Then from the bottom .

Thus find h .
 
Qwertywerty said:
There is some unknown distance between the buildings . Let this be a variable d , or any other of your liking .

Let difference in height of buildings be h .
Now write tan from the top of the second building . Then from the bottom .

Thus find h .
Okay will update you later sir. Thankyou for the help! Hoping I can get it this time.
 
  • #10
Qwertywerty said:
There is some unknown distance between the buildings . Let this be a variable d , or any other of your liking .

Let difference in height of buildings be h .
Now write tan from the top of the second building . Then from the bottom .

Thus find h .

Got it sir! (pls excuse my bad hand writing lol) Thankyou for assisting me. Cheers mate
wV02VIR.png
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Qwertywerty

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
1K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
578
Replies
11
Views
6K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K