MHB Kite Distance Above the Ground

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Kaila is flying a kite with a string at a 70° angle and a length of 65 meters, prompting a calculation for the kite's height above the ground. The sine function is used, with the equation sin(70°) = h/65, leading to the calculation h = sin(70°) * 65. There is confusion regarding calculator settings, as one participant suggests ensuring the calculator is in degree mode rather than radians. After resolving the mode issue, the height is recalculated, with one participant concluding the kite is approximately 50 meters above the ground. The discussion emphasizes the importance of using the correct calculator settings for accurate trigonometric evaluations.
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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.
 
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Do you have your calculator in degree mode?
 
MarkFL said:
Do you have your calculator in degree mode?

Yes, my calculator is in degree mode. Should it be in radians mode?
 
Try evaluating the expression again...
 
MarkFL said:
Try evaluating the expression again...

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

I say the answer is 50 meters.
 
I'm getting a different number.
 
MarkFL said:
I'm getting a different number.

What number are you getting? Show me your set up.
 
xyz_1965 said:
What number are you getting? Show me your set up.

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

Show me what you did.
 
  • #10
xyz_1965 said:
Show me what you did.

I used my phone's calculator.
 
  • #11
65sin(70).png
 
  • #12
skeeter said:
https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/10524

That looks like what I got.
 
  • #13
xyz_1965 said:
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.
 
  • #14
skeeter said:
your argument for sine is 70 degrees ... you need to be in degree mode.

Understood.
 
  • #15
MarkFL said:
That looks like what I got.

I must be in degree mode. I got it.
 
  • #16
MarkFL said:
I used my phone's calculator.

Your phone in degree mode, right?
 
  • #17
xyz_1965 said:
Your phone in degree mode, right?

It appears to be by default.
 
  • #18
MarkFL said:
It appears to be by default.

Moving on.
 
  • #19
Ha! Ha!
 
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