Math Problem Statement

A building with an observation tower at the top of the building, sits on a cliff. From point P, 543 ft away from the cliff’s base on the ground, the angle of elevation to the top of the cliff is 56.8sa029-1.jpg. The angle of elevation to the top of the building is 72.4sa029-2.jpg. How tall is the building, to the nearest foot?

Solution

We will calculate the height of the building by using trigonometry. Here's the breakdown of the problem:

  1. Known Information:

    • Distance from point PP to the base of the cliff = 543ft543 \, \text{ft}.
    • Angle of elevation to the top of the cliff = 56.856.8^\circ.
    • Angle of elevation to the top of the building = 72.472.4^\circ.
  2. Unknowns:

    • Height of the cliff (hch_c).
    • Height of the building above the cliff (hbh_b).
    • Total height of the building (htotal=hc+hbh_{\text{total}} = h_c + h_b).

Step 1: Find the height of the cliff (hch_c)

Using the tangent function: tan(56.8)=hc543\tan(56.8^\circ) = \frac{h_c}{543} Rearrange to solve for hch_c: hc=543tan(56.8)h_c = 543 \cdot \tan(56.8^\circ)


Step 2: Find the height to the top of the building (htotalh_{\text{total}})

Using the tangent function again: tan(72.4)=htotal543\tan(72.4^\circ) = \frac{h_{\text{total}}}{543} Rearrange to solve for htotalh_{\text{total}}: htotal=543tan(72.4)h_{\text{total}} = 543 \cdot \tan(72.4^\circ)


Step 3: Find the height of the building (hbh_b)

hb=htotalhch_b = h_{\text{total}} - h_c

Let’s calculate. math

Given values

distance = 543 # ft angle_cliff = math.radians(56.8) # Convert to radians angle_building = math.radians(72.4) # Convert to radians

Height of the cliff

h_cliff = distance * math.tan(angle_cliff)

Total height (cliff + building)

h_total = distance * math.tan(angle_building)

Height of the building

h_building = h_total - h_cliff

h_cliff, h_total, h_building### Results:

  1. Height of the cliff (hch_c): 830ft830 \, \text{ft} (rounded to the nearest foot).
  2. Total height to the top of the building (htotalh_{\text{total}}): 1712ft1712 \, \text{ft} (rounded to the nearest foot).
  3. Height of the building (hbh_b): 882ft882 \, \text{ft} (rounded to the nearest foot).

Thus, the height of the building is approximately 882ft882 \, \text{ft}.


Would you like me to explain any step in more detail?
Here are 5 questions to deepen understanding:

  1. What does the tangent function represent in this context?
  2. How does the distance between point PP and the cliff affect the calculations?
  3. What other methods could we use to calculate the building's height?
  4. How would the problem change if the angles were measured in radians instead of degrees?
  5. What practical applications might this method of calculation have in real life?

Tip: Always ensure your calculator is set to the correct mode (degrees or radians) when solving trigonometric problems.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Tangent Function
Right-Angle Triangles

Formulas

tan(θ) = opposite / adjacent
h_c = 543 * tan(56.8°)
h_total = 543 * tan(72.4°)
h_b = h_total - h_c

Theorems

Tangent function properties

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12