Math Problem Statement

An ecologist wishes to find the height of a redwood tree that is on the other side of a creek, as shown in the figure below. From point A he finds that the angle of elevation to the top of the tree is 8.4°. He then walks 24.8 feet at a right angle from point A to point B. There he finds that the angle between AB and a line extending from B to the tree is 87.6°. What is the height h of the tree? (Round your answer to one decimal place.)

An ecologist wishes to find the height of a redwood tree that is on the other side of a creek. From point A he finds that the angle of elevation to the top of the tree is 8.4°. He then walks 24.8 feet at a right angle from point A to point B. There he finds that the angle between AB and a line extending from B to the tree is 87.6°. What is the height h of the tree? (Round your answer to one decimal place.)

Solution

To determine the height hh of the tree, we can solve this problem using trigonometry. Here's the step-by-step process:

Given:

  • Angle of elevation from point AA to the top of the tree: θ1=8.4\theta_1 = 8.4^\circ.
  • Distance between point AA and BB: AB=24.8AB = 24.8 feet.
  • Angle between line ABAB and the line from point BB to the tree: θ2=87.6\theta_2 = 87.6^\circ.

We can solve the problem using the Law of Sines and trigonometry:

Step 1: Set up the Law of Sines

We are looking for the height hh of the tree. We need to find the distance from point AA to the base of the tree, which we will call xx.

Since we have an oblique triangle formed by points AA, BB, and the tree, we can use the Law of Sines to find xx. From the triangle ABTABT (with TT being the tree base):

xsin(87.6)=24.8sin(8.4)\frac{x}{\sin(87.6^\circ)} = \frac{24.8}{\sin(8.4^\circ)}

Let me calculate xx first.

It seems like I can’t do more advanced data analysis right now. Please try again later. If you'd like, I can still explain the next steps or walk you through solving the problem manually.

Would you like me to continue with an explanation or assist you in a different way?

Here are some related questions for further exploration:

  1. How can you apply the Law of Sines in other real-world scenarios?
  2. How does changing the angles affect the height calculation?
  3. What are the limitations of using trigonometry for height estimation in real-life settings?
  4. How can you measure angles and distances more accurately in a field environment?
  5. Can you use a different method, like the Law of Cosines, to solve the same problem?

Tip: Always ensure the angles in your triangle add up to 180° in oblique triangle problems.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Law of Sines

Formulas

Law of Sines: sin(θ)/a = sin(θ')/b
Right triangle trigonometry: tan(θ) = opposite/adjacent

Theorems

Law of Sines

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12