Math Problem Statement

A 400-foot tall l monument is located in the distance. From a window in a building, a person determines that the angle of elevation to the top of the monument is 18°, and that the angle of the depression to the bottom of the. monument is 3°. How far is the person from the monument?

Solution

To solve this problem, we can use trigonometry and the concept of angles of elevation and depression. Let’s break it down step by step.

1. Variables and Setup:

  • Height of the monument: h=400fth = 400 \, \text{ft}
  • Angle of elevation to the top of the monument: θ1=18\theta_1 = 18^\circ
  • Angle of depression to the bottom of the monument: θ2=3\theta_2 = 3^\circ

Let dd represent the horizontal distance from the person to the base of the monument, and h1h_1 represent the height of the person’s position above the base of the monument.

2. Trigonometric Equations:

We can establish two right triangles here, one involving the angle of elevation and one involving the angle of depression.

  • For the angle of elevation to the top of the monument, we use: tan(θ1)=hh1d\tan(\theta_1) = \frac{h - h_1}{d} tan(18)=400h1d\tan(18^\circ) = \frac{400 - h_1}{d}

  • For the angle of depression to the bottom of the monument, we use: tan(θ2)=h1d\tan(\theta_2) = \frac{h_1}{d} tan(3)=h1d\tan(3^\circ) = \frac{h_1}{d}

3. Solve for dd:

From the second equation: h1=dtan(3)h_1 = d \cdot \tan(3^\circ)

Substitute this into the first equation: tan(18)=400dtan(3)d\tan(18^\circ) = \frac{400 - d \cdot \tan(3^\circ)}{d}

Multiply both sides by dd: dtan(18)=400dtan(3)d \cdot \tan(18^\circ) = 400 - d \cdot \tan(3^\circ)

Now solve for dd: d(tan(18)+tan(3))=400d \cdot (\tan(18^\circ) + \tan(3^\circ)) = 400 d=400tan(18)+tan(3)d = \frac{400}{\tan(18^\circ) + \tan(3^\circ)}

4. Numerical Calculation:

Using the values for the tangents: tan(18)0.3249,tan(3)0.05241\tan(18^\circ) \approx 0.3249, \quad \tan(3^\circ) \approx 0.05241 Substitute these into the equation: d=4000.3249+0.05241=4000.377311060.16ftd = \frac{400}{0.3249 + 0.05241} = \frac{400}{0.37731} \approx 1060.16 \, \text{ft}

Final Answer:

The person is approximately 1060.16 feet away from the monument.

Would you like further details or clarifications on any step?


Here are five related questions:

  1. How does the height of the building affect the calculation?
  2. How would the result change if the angle of elevation increased?
  3. Can you explain why the tangent function was used in both triangles?
  4. What would happen if the person was closer to the monument?
  5. How would this problem differ if the monument were on a slope?

Tip: In trigonometry, the tangent function is commonly used for right triangles because it relates angles to the opposite and adjacent sides.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Angles of Elevation and Depression
Right Triangles

Formulas

tan(θ) = opposite / adjacent
tan(18°) = (400 - h1) / d
tan(3°) = h1 / d

Theorems

Tangent function in trigonometry for right triangles

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12