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This document defines key terms related to angles of elevation such as elevation, sight, horizontal, trigonometric functions, adjacent, ratio, opposite, reference, mnemonic, and hypotenuse. It then explains that the angle of elevation is the acute angle formed between the horizontal line and the line of sight to an object above the observer. Examples are provided to illustrate how to use trigonometric functions like tangent to calculate distances using right triangles formed with the angle of elevation. Mnemonics are suggested to help identify the appropriate trigonometric function based on given information. Practice problems are included at the end to apply these concepts.

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MELCRIS VICHO
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54 views3 pages

Math

This document defines key terms related to angles of elevation such as elevation, sight, horizontal, trigonometric functions, adjacent, ratio, opposite, reference, mnemonic, and hypotenuse. It then explains that the angle of elevation is the acute angle formed between the horizontal line and the line of sight to an object above the observer. Examples are provided to illustrate how to use trigonometric functions like tangent to calculate distances using right triangles formed with the angle of elevation. Mnemonics are suggested to help identify the appropriate trigonometric function based on given information. Practice problems are included at the end to apply these concepts.

Uploaded by

MELCRIS VICHO
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MATH

Unlocking of Terms:

 elevation(noun): height above a given level, especially sea level


 sight (noun): the power of seeing
 horizontal (noun): parallel to the plane of the horizon
 trigonometric function (noun): a function of an angle, or of an abstract quantity, used in trigonometry
 adjacent (adjective): (of angles) having a common vertex and a common side
 ratio (noun): the indicated quotient of two mathematical expressions
 opposite (adjective): having a position on the other or further side of something
 reference (noun): the use of a source of information in order to ascertain something
 mnemonic (noun): a device such as a pattern of letters, ideas, or associations that assists in remembering
something
 appropriate (adjective): especially suitable or compatible
 hypotenuse (noun): the side of a right-angled triangle that is opposite the right angle

The Angle of Elevation of an object as seen by an observer is the acute angle formed by the horizontal
line (eye level) and the line from the observer’s eye to the object (line of sight) that is located higher than the
observer.
object

line of sight

Ɵ Horizontal line
observer
In the above figure, you can see an observer on the ground who is looking at the object located higher
than him, an angel Ɵ is formed by his line of sight and horizontal line which is his eye level. The angle is called
angle of elevation of the object. Here, if we connect the object to the point directly below it along the horizontal
line, a right triangle is formed. Thus, we can use a trigonometric function to find the distance of the observer
from the foot of the vertical line. The line segment representing the height of the object is the side opposite the
angle Ɵ and the horizontal line is the adjacent side to the same angle Ɵ.
The trigonometric function to use in finding the angle of elevation of an object depends on the given
measures of the sides of the formed right triangle. There is a need for you to recall the ratio of the lengths of the
sides that defines each trigonometric function with reference to an acute angle of the right triangle. The
mnemonic SOH-CAH-TOA-CAO-SHA-CHO may be of great help to you in identifying the appropriate
trigonometric function based on the given measures of right triangle.
You may consider the following as reminders in determining the function to use.
1. If the measures of either leg are the hypotenuse of the right triangle are given, then sine of cosine
function
may be used.
2. If the measures of the legs of the right triangle are given, then tangent function is to be used.
Example 1: A tower is 15.24 m high. At a certain distance away from the tower, a man on the level ground
observes that the angle of elevation of the top of tower is 41°. How far is the man from the tower?

Solution: Let x be the distance of the man from the tower (adjacent side to Ɵ = 41°)
tan Ɵ = opposite side
adjacent side Since the given 15.24 m is the opposite side of the
tan 41° = 15.24 41° angle and the unknown side (x) is the adjacent
x side of the given angle, then we will use tangent
0.87 (x) = 15.24 ratio.
X = 15.24
0.87
X = 17.52 m
Therefore 17.52 meters is the distance of the man from the tower

Example 2: Suppose that when the angle of elevation of the sun is 63.4°, a building casts a shadow of 37.5 feet.
How tall is the building?

Solution: Let y be the height of the building (opposite side to Ɵ = 63.4°)

tan Ɵ = opposite side


adjacent side
tan 63.4° = _y__
37.5
y = 1.997 (37.5)
y = 74.89 ft.
Therefore 74.89 ft. is the height of the building.

Exercise I
Directions: Read the analyze the question carefully and choose only the letter of your answer.

1. What is formed if we connect the object to the point directly below it along the horizontal line?
A. acute triangle B. obtuse triangle C. right triangle D. triangle
2. What function may be use if the measures of either leg and the hypotenuse of the right triangle are g
given?
A. cosine or tangent B. cosine or secant C. sine or cosine D. sine or tangent

For numbers 3-4, consider the problem that follows:


A firefighter’s ladder leans against a building. The ladder is 10 m long and makes an angle of 37°
with the ground.
3. How high up the building does the ladder reach?
A. 6 m B. 7.5 m C. 8 m D. 16.6 m
4. How far is the foot of the ladder from the base of the building?
A. 6 m B. 7.5 m C. 8 m D. 16.6 m
5. The line of sight from a small boat to the light at the top of 35-foot lighthouse built on a cliff 25 feet
above the water makes a 25° angle with the water. To the nearest foot, how far is the boat from the cliff?
A. 141 ft. B. 129 ft. C. 75 ft. D. 27 ft.
6. The corporate office building is 50m high and angle of elevation of the top of the building is 52°
when seen from a point A on the level ground. What is the distance from point A to the foot of the
building?
A. 30.78 m B. 39. 06 m C. 63.45 m D. 81.21 m

Exercise II
Directions: Analyze and solve each problem involving angle of elevation. Show your computations and label
your final answer properly.

1. A ladder leans against a 6- m high wall and reaches the top. If the ladder is inclined with the ground at
an angle of 60 degrees, how far is the foot ladder from the wall.

2. Find the length of the shadow cast by a 10-foot lamp post when the angle of elevation of the sun is
58°.

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