Math Problem Statement

Assuming that a 370-foot tall giant redwood grows vertically, if I walk a certain distance from the tree and measure the angle of elevation to the top of the tree to be 49°, how far from the base of the tree am I?

Round your answer to four decimal places.

Solution

To solve this problem, we can use the trigonometric relationship involving the tangent function in a right triangle. The relationship is:

tan(θ)=oppositeadjacent\tan(\theta) = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}}

Given:

  • Height of the tree (opposite\text{opposite}): 370ft370 \, \text{ft}
  • Angle of elevation (θ\theta): 4949^\circ
  • Distance from the base of the tree (adjacent\text{adjacent}): xx (to be found)

From the tangent formula:

tan(49)=370x\tan(49^\circ) = \frac{370}{x}

Rearrange to solve for xx:

x=370tan(49)x = \frac{370}{\tan(49^\circ)}

Calculation:

  1. Find tan(49)\tan(49^\circ) using a calculator: tan(49)1.1504\tan(49^\circ) \approx 1.1504

  2. Substitute into the equation: x=3701.1504321.4982ftx = \frac{370}{1.1504} \approx 321.4982 \, \text{ft}

Final Answer:

The distance from the base of the tree is approximately:

321.4982ft\boxed{321.4982 \, \text{ft}}


Would you like a detailed explanation of any step or a visualization of this problem? Here are five related questions to explore further:

  1. How do you calculate the angle of elevation if the distance and height are given?
  2. What is the sine and cosine of the angle in this scenario?
  3. How would the distance change if the tree's height were doubled but the angle remained the same?
  4. What if the ground is not level—how would this affect the calculations?
  5. How do these trigonometric principles apply in real-world scenarios like surveying?

Tip: Always double-check angle measurements to ensure you're using the correct unit (degrees vs radians) in calculations!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Right Triangle Properties
Angle of Elevation

Formulas

tan(θ) = opposite/adjacent
x = opposite / tan(θ)

Theorems

Trigonometric Ratios in Right Triangles

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-11