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Written Homework 2 Solutions

The document contains homework problems related to plane trigonometry, including finding the length of a shadow based on the angle of elevation, calculating the height of a flagpole using tangent functions, and determining the length of a bridge and distance between two people using trigonometric ratios. Each problem includes a diagram and detailed solutions with calculations. The results are approximated to two decimal places.

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96 views2 pages

Written Homework 2 Solutions

The document contains homework problems related to plane trigonometry, including finding the length of a shadow based on the angle of elevation, calculating the height of a flagpole using tangent functions, and determining the length of a bridge and distance between two people using trigonometric ratios. Each problem includes a diagram and detailed solutions with calculations. The results are approximated to two decimal places.

Uploaded by

HiNguyen
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Math 26 - Plane Trigonometry and Applications of Trigonometry Homework 2

Problem 1: A man who is 6.1 feet tall stands under the sun. If the angle of elevation from his shadow to
his head is measured to be 32◦ , how long is his shadow? Include a diagram and give an
approximation to 2 decimal places.

Solution:

6.1 ft

32◦
x=?

Since we are given the side opposite 32◦ , to find the side adjacent, we can start by
writing down the tangent function:
opposite 6.1
tan 32◦ = = .
adjacent x

Notice that in the above expression, 6.1 and tan 32◦ are both known numbers (with
the help of a calculator). So, to find x, we need only compute
6.1
x= ≈ 9.76 feet .
tan 32◦

3π
Problem 2: The angle of elevation to the top of a flagpole measured by a digital protractor is radians
10
from a point on the ground 72 feet away form its base. Find the height of the flagpole.
Include a diagram.

Solution:

h=?

3π
10
72 ft

3π
To find the side opposite when the side adjacent is given, we will again use the
10
tangent function:
 
3π h
tan = ,
10 72

where 72 and tan 3π



10 are known numbers. Hence, the height of the flagpole can be

Page 1 of 2
Math 26 - Plane Trigonometry and Applications of Trigonometry Homework 2

obtained by computing
 
3π
h = 72 · tan ≈ 99 feet .
10

Problem 3: Alice and Bob are on opposite sides of a small river. Alice stands at one end of the bridge.
For Bob to meet Alice, he needs to walk along the riverside for 35 meters and then cross the
2π
bridge. The angle between the bridge and the line sight from Alice to Bob is radians.
5
Use this information to determine the length of the bridge and the distance between them.
Include a diagram.

Solution:

Let ℓ denote the length of the bridge, and let d denote the distance between Alice and
Bob.
Alice

2π
5
river d=?
ℓ=?

Bob 35 meters

Since the only given side is opposite the 2π


5 angle, to find the other two sides, we will
use the tangent function and the sine function:
   
2π opposite 35 2π opposite 35
tan = = , sin = = .
5 adjacent ℓ 5 hypotenuse d

It follows that the length ℓ of the bridge and the distance d between Alice and Bob are
35 35
ℓ= d=
tan 2π sin 2π
 
5 5
≈ 11.37 meters , ≈ 36.80 meters .

Page 2 of 2

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