Kite Distance Above the Ground

[xyz_1965]

Kaila is flying a kite whose string is making a 70° angle with the ground. The kite string is 65 meters long. How far is the kite above the ground?

I am thinking the sine function.

sin (70°) = h/65, where h is the distance of the kite above the ground.

sin (70°)(65) = h

27.08617 = h

I will say the kite is 27 meters above the ground.

 

[MarkFL]

Do you have your calculator in degree mode?

 

[xyz_1965]

Do you have your calculator in degree mode?

Yes, my calculator is in degree mode. Should it be in radians mode?

 

[MarkFL]

Try evaluating the expression again...

 

[xyz_1965]

Try evaluating the expression again...

sin (70°)(65) = 50.3028943013 in radians mode.

I say the answer is 50 meters.

 

[MarkFL]

I'm getting a different number.

 

[xyz_1965]

I'm getting a different number.

What number are you getting? Show me your set up.

 

[MarkFL]

What number are you getting? Show me your set up.

Your expression is correct, but your numeric evaluation of that expression differs from mine.

 

[xyz_1965]

Your expression is correct, but your numeric evaluation of that expression differs from mine.

Show me what you did.

 

[MarkFL]

Show me what you did.

I used my phone's calculator.

 

[skeeter]

 

[MarkFL]

https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/10524

That looks like what I got.

 

[skeeter]

sin (70°)(65) = 50.3028943013 in radians mode.

I say the answer is 50 meters.

your argument for sine is 70 degrees ... you need to be in degree mode.

 

[xyz_1965]

your argument for sine is 70 degrees ... you need to be in degree mode.

Understood.

 

[xyz_1965]

That looks like what I got.

I must be in degree mode. I got it.

 

[xyz_1965]

I used my phone's calculator.

Your phone in degree mode, right?

 

[MarkFL]

Your phone in degree mode, right?

It appears to be by default.

 

[xyz_1965]

It appears to be by default.

Moving on.

 

[xyz_1965]

Ha! Ha!