Trigonometry: Solving Word Problems ‘Trigonometry can be used on a daily basis in the workplace. Since trigonometry means "triangle measure", any profession that deals ‘with measurement deals with trigonometry as well. Carpenters, construction workers and engineers, for example, must possess @ thorough understanding of trigonometry. In word problems, the formulas remain the same: A= opposite leg cosA= adjacent leg, tanA= oppositeleg hypotenuse. hypotenuse adjacent leg Word problems introduce two new vocabulary terms: Angle of Elevation Think o elevator that only goes up. Itis In the diagram at the left, x marks the angle of elevation of the top of the tree as seen from a point on the ground. You can think of the angle of elevation in relation to the movement of your eyes. You are looking straight ahead and you must raise (elevate) your eyes to see the top of the tree. It is never inside the triangl In the diagram at the left, x marks the angle of depression of a boat at sea from the top of a lighthouse. ‘You can think of the angle of depression in relation to the movement of your eyes. You are standing at the top of the lighthouse and you are looking straight ahead. You must lower (depress) your eyes to see the boat in the water.As seen in the diagram above of : angle of depression, the dark black horizontal line is parallel to side CA of triangle ABC. This forms what are called alternate interior angles which are equal in measure (0, x also equals the measure of 65 ery o.Stan 74 =X | 22. 60s ~X Peet coun 3. A stralght Pond to the top ofa hill is 2500 feet long and makes an angle of 12° with the horizontal. Find the height of the hill. | ! kit oute L. Draw + Label 2. What do you 3. Worl ° wal sin 12 =x ; the Zeco nee of 2SEOSMIL =X att 519, 779 EX Peet Ay Werrzentet 4, An airplane climbs at an angle of 11° with the ground. Find the ground distance it has traveled when it has attained an altitude of 400 feet. 1. Draw + Label { 2-What do you 3.Werk i+ out, need 7 °. YOO tan {os A | x = Yo? oh X* inal X= 208#. 822 Ft. |5. A wire attached to the top ofa pole reaches a stake inthe ground 20 feet from the foot ofthe pole and makes an angle of $8° with the ground. Find the length of the wire. \. Draw + Label - 2, Whect do You 3. Work tt outo neec\? 3 cos 58 = oo. tes ob He X= ze & tee 356 f X~ 34,442 Peet grout \ 6. Henry is flying a kite, The kite string makes an angle of 43° with the ground. If Henry is standing 100 {foot from a point on the ground directly below the kite, find the length of the kite string. 1 Draws + Label 2 Whet do you B. Wore + oud. x teed? > cos 4B = ‘ length Ff at ye ee ‘ Shing, wos 43 d XX 130, 133 PL 7. A25 foot ladder leans against a building. The ladder’ base is 13.5 feet from the building. Find the angle which the ladder makes with the ground. i. Draw + Label a.whet do you | B.work 1+ out. _ neecl 7 cos X= 13-S the angle ZS iss = cos” (Se Ky % 57-31" 8. ta order taFeath the top of a hill which is 250 feet high, one must travel 2000 feet straight a up a road Ieads to the top. Find the number of degrees contained in the angle which the road makes with the horizontal. \e Draw + Label Zwhat lo you 3 Work rt oul reo? sin X= 232 xX = Sin ye 7.181? 9, A ladder leans against a building. The top of the ladder reaches a point on the building which is 18 feet above the ground, The foot of the ladder is 7 feet from the building. Find the measure of the angle which the ladder makes with the level ground. What do you. 3. work trout. 1. Draw d-Labe | @ Neel? yo jan x ie He cage — tan” (2) % Xx OR AT