Math Problem Statement
Find the height of a tower which casts a shadow 41 m long, when the angle of elevation of the sun is 36.50o.
Solution
To find the height of the tower, we can use trigonometry, specifically the tangent function. The tangent of an angle in a right triangle is the ratio of the opposite side (the height of the tower in this case) to the adjacent side (the length of the shadow).
Given:
- Length of the shadow () = 41 m
- Angle of elevation of the sun () = 36.50°
We can use the formula:
Rearranging to solve for the height of the tower:
Substituting the given values:
Now, calculate the value:
So, the height of the tower is approximately 30.28 meters.
Would you like any further details or explanations? Here are some related questions:
- How would the height change if the angle of elevation increased?
- What would happen to the shadow length if the tower height doubled?
- Can this method be used to calculate the height of a tree given its shadow?
- What if the angle was 45°; how would that simplify the calculation?
- How does the length of the shadow change throughout the day?
Tip: When solving trigonometric problems, always ensure your calculator is set to the correct unit (degrees or radians) as per the given angle.
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Math Problem Analysis
Mathematical Concepts
Trigonometry
Right Triangle Geometry
Formulas
Tangent function in trigonometry
Theorems
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Suitable Grade Level
Grades 9-12
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