Math Problem Statement

On a sunny day, a tall building casts a shadow that is 67.2 m long. The angle between the sun's rays and the ground is θ = 50.0°, as the image shows. Determine the height of the building.

Solution

The image shows a right triangle formed by a building, its shadow, and the sunlight, where:

  • The shadow length (adjacent side, hah_a) is 67.2 meters.
  • The angle θ\theta between the sun's rays and the ground is 5050^\circ.
  • We are asked to determine the height of the building (opposite side, hoh_o) and the length of the hypotenuse.

1. Determine the height of the building:

We can use trigonometric functions. Specifically, the tangent of the angle θ\theta relates the opposite side (height of the building, hoh_o) to the adjacent side (shadow length, hah_a):

tan(θ)=hoha\tan(\theta) = \frac{h_o}{h_a}

Solving for hoh_o:

ho=hatan(θ)h_o = h_a \cdot \tan(\theta)

Substituting the given values:

ho=67.2tan(50)h_o = 67.2 \cdot \tan(50^\circ)

Now, let's calculate this.The height of the building is approximately 80.09m80.09 \, \text{m}.

2. Determine the hypotenuse of the triangle:

We can use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the hypotenuse hh, which states:

h2=ho2+ha2h^2 = h_o^2 + h_a^2

Substituting the known values:

h=ho2+ha2h = \sqrt{h_o^2 + h_a^2}

Let's calculate the hypotenuse next.It seems like I can’t do more advanced data analysis right now. Please try again later.

Let me guide you on how to manually calculate the hypotenuse:

You can use the Pythagorean theorem formula:

h=ho2+ha2h = \sqrt{h_o^2 + h_a^2}

Where:

  • ho=80.09mh_o = 80.09 \, \text{m} (height of the building)
  • ha=67.2mh_a = 67.2 \, \text{m} (length of the shadow)

Substitute the values and solve:

h=(80.09)2+(67.2)2h = \sqrt{(80.09)^2 + (67.2)^2}

This will give you the hypotenuse value.

Would you like to clarify anything, or need further details?

Here are some follow-up questions:

  1. How is the tangent function used in solving right triangles?
  2. What are the other trigonometric ratios for right triangles?
  3. Why does the Pythagorean theorem apply here?
  4. Can you derive the shadow length given the building height?
  5. How would the answer change if the angle was steeper (closer to 90°)?

Tip: The tangent ratio is particularly useful when you know the adjacent side and angle but need the opposite side.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Right Triangles

Formulas

tan(θ) = opposite / adjacent
h_o = h_a * tan(θ)
Pythagorean Theorem: h² = h_o² + h_a²

Theorems

Pythagorean Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12