Math Problem Statement

To estimate the height of a building, two students find the angle of elevation from a point (at ground level) down the street from the building to the top of the building is
35 ∘ . From a point that is
150 feet closer to the building, the angle of elevation (at ground level) to the top of the building is
51 ∘ . Assume that the street is level. What is the height of the building?

Round your answer to the nearest hundredth. Don't include the " h

" or any units - your answer should just be a number.

Provide your answer below:

Solution

We can solve this problem using trigonometry. Let hh be the height of the building and xx be the distance from the first point of observation to the base of the building.

Step-by-step solution:

  1. From the first point, we have the angle of elevation of 3535^\circ. Using the tangent function: tan(35)=hx\tan(35^\circ) = \frac{h}{x} This gives: h=xtan(35)h = x \cdot \tan(35^\circ)

  2. From the second point, which is 150 feet closer, the angle of elevation is 5151^\circ. The distance from this point to the base of the building is x150x - 150. Using the tangent function: tan(51)=hx150\tan(51^\circ) = \frac{h}{x - 150} This gives: h=(x150)tan(51)h = (x - 150) \cdot \tan(51^\circ)

  3. Since both expressions equal hh, we can set them equal to each other: xtan(35)=(x150)tan(51)x \cdot \tan(35^\circ) = (x - 150) \cdot \tan(51^\circ)

  4. Solve for xx: xtan(35)=xtan(51)150tan(51)x \cdot \tan(35^\circ) = x \cdot \tan(51^\circ) - 150 \cdot \tan(51^\circ) x(tan(35)tan(51))=150tan(51)x (\tan(35^\circ) - \tan(51^\circ)) = -150 \cdot \tan(51^\circ) x=150tan(51)tan(35)tan(51)x = \frac{-150 \cdot \tan(51^\circ)}{\tan(35^\circ) - \tan(51^\circ)}

  5. Once xx is found, substitute it into the equation h=xtan(35)h = x \cdot \tan(35^\circ) to find hh.

Let me compute this. math

Angles in degrees

angle1 = 35 # First angle of elevation angle2 = 51 # Second angle of elevation distance_closer = 150 # Distance closer in feet

Convert angles to radians for computation

tan1 = math.tan(math.radians(angle1)) tan2 = math.tan(math.radians(angle2))

Solve for x

x = (-distance_closer * tan2) / (tan1 - tan2)

Solve for h

h = x * tan1

Round to the nearest hundredth

h_rounded = round(h, 2) h_roundedThe height of the building is 242.58.

Would you like me to go over any details or steps?

Here are 5 related questions you might find helpful:

  1. How can tangent functions be used to solve real-world elevation problems?
  2. What is the relationship between angles of elevation and trigonometric ratios?
  3. How does changing the distance to the building affect the angles of elevation?
  4. What are some other practical applications of trigonometry in construction or surveying?
  5. How can we verify this calculation using another trigonometric method?

Tip: Always ensure angles are converted to radians when using programming tools for trigonometric calculations!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Angles of Elevation
Tangent Function

Formulas

tan(angle) = opposite/adjacent
x = (-distance_closer * tan(angle2)) / (tan(angle1) - tan(angle2))
h = x * tan(angle1)

Theorems

Tangent Ratio in Right Triangles

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12