CHAPTER 10 : ANGLES OF ELEVATION AND DEPRESSION

Angle of elevation
The angle of elevation of a point A from a lower point O is the acute angle measured up from the horizontal line through point O to the line of sight, OA.
A

Line of sight

Horizontal line

Angle of depression
The angle of depression of a point B from a higher point O is the acute angle measured down from the horizontal line through point O to the line of the sight, OB. O

Horizontal line H

Line of sight B

Angle of elevation
Horizontal Line

>
Angle of depression

Example 1 The diagram shows a boy, a bird and a fl ag pole. The boy and the bird are looking at the top of the flag pole. Identify (a) two horizontal lines, (b) an angle of elevation, (c) an angle of depression

Solution: (a) The horizontal lines are ED and AB.

(b) An angle of elevation is CDE . (c) An angle of depression is ABC

Example 1
The diagram shows Aminah standing on the balcony of her house. She looks at the moon and then at the lamppost. Identify (a) the horizontal lines, (b) an angle of elevation, (c) an angle of depression. Solution: (a) PQ, SR and TU (b) SRQ (c) SRT

Example 4
A guard is at the top of a watchtower. He is looking at a car on the road. The angle of depression of the car is 20. Represent this situation using a diagram. Solution:

Example 4
The diagram shows a boy and a fl agpole on a level ground, which are 12 m apart. The height of the boys eyes are 1.7 m above the ground. If the angle of elevation from the eyes of the boy to the top of the pole is 45, fi nd the height of the pole. Solution: