Math Problem Statement

Tan(50.6degree)=h/x, tan(29.4degree)=h/(x+410). find h.

Solution

We are given two trigonometric equations involving tangent functions:

tan(50.6)=hx\tan(50.6^\circ) = \frac{h}{x} tan(29.4)=hx+410\tan(29.4^\circ) = \frac{h}{x + 410}

We need to solve for hh.

Step 1: Express hh in terms of xx from both equations.

From the first equation: h=xtan(50.6)h = x \cdot \tan(50.6^\circ)

From the second equation: h=(x+410)tan(29.4)h = (x + 410) \cdot \tan(29.4^\circ)

Step 2: Set the two expressions for hh equal to each other.

xtan(50.6)=(x+410)tan(29.4)x \cdot \tan(50.6^\circ) = (x + 410) \cdot \tan(29.4^\circ)

Step 3: Expand and solve for xx.

xtan(50.6)=xtan(29.4)+410tan(29.4)x \cdot \tan(50.6^\circ) = x \cdot \tan(29.4^\circ) + 410 \cdot \tan(29.4^\circ)

Move the xx-terms to one side: x(tan(50.6)tan(29.4))=410tan(29.4)x \cdot (\tan(50.6^\circ) - \tan(29.4^\circ)) = 410 \cdot \tan(29.4^\circ)

Solve for xx: x=410tan(29.4)tan(50.6)tan(29.4)x = \frac{410 \cdot \tan(29.4^\circ)}{\tan(50.6^\circ) - \tan(29.4^\circ)}

Step 4: Plug in the values for the tangents.

Using the calculator values: tan(50.6)1.2103andtan(29.4)0.5637\tan(50.6^\circ) \approx 1.2103 \quad \text{and} \quad \tan(29.4^\circ) \approx 0.5637

Now substitute: x=4100.56371.21030.5637x = \frac{410 \cdot 0.5637}{1.2103 - 0.5637} x=231.1170.6466357.52x = \frac{231.117}{0.6466} \approx 357.52

Step 5: Use the value of xx to find hh.

Now that we have x357.52x \approx 357.52, substitute this back into the equation h=xtan(50.6)h = x \cdot \tan(50.6^\circ):

h=357.521.2103432.57h = 357.52 \cdot 1.2103 \approx 432.57

Final Answer:

The height hh is approximately 432.57 units.

Would you like further details or clarifications on any step?


Here are 5 questions related to this problem:

  1. How would the problem change if the angles were different?
  2. What if the distance 410 units were instead a variable? How would you solve for both hh and xx?
  3. Can this method be applied to non-right triangles?
  4. How do tangent functions relate to other trigonometric ratios in this context?
  5. How would the result change if the angle measurements were in radians?

Tip: Always check if your calculator is set to degrees or radians when working with trigonometric functions, depending on the problem context.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Tangent Function
Algebraic Manipulation

Formulas

tan(θ) = opposite / adjacent
x = (410 * tan(29.4°)) / (tan(50.6°) - tan(29.4°))
h = x * tan(50.6°)

Theorems

Basic Trigonometric Identities

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12