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Mathematics: Level 2
Angles of elevation and depression
Compiled by: Mrs. L Molaba…May 2020
 Angels of elevation and depression

Notes: When coming to trigonometry of right-angled triangles,

we have two types of angles and these are the angles of
elevation and the angles of depression. The angle of elevation
is the angle between a horizontal line from the observer and the
line of sight to an object that is above the horizontal line.
 Angels of elevation and depression

It can also be regarded as the angle between a line and the positive
x-axis. This angle is always between 0 ⁰ and 180 ⁰, and it is
measured in an anti-clockwise direction from the positive axis. The
angle of depression is the angle between a horizontal line from the
observer and the line of sight to an object that is below the
horizontal line.
 Angels of elevation and depression

The angle of elevation is usually when one is looking upwards

and the angle of depression is when looking downwards. All
horizontal lines have an angle of elevation of zero and all vertical
lines have an angle of elevation of ninety degrees.
 Angels of elevation and depression

Hinds on solving trigonometric problems: page 213

Examples: 1. You are standing 20 feet away from a tree, and
you measure the angle of elevation to be 38⁰ (we assume you to
be 5 feet tall). How tall is the tree?
 Angles of elevation and depression

Solution:
tan 38⁰ = =
therefore: tan 38⁰ =
 Angles of elevation and depression

Therefore:
T = 20 tan 38⁰ …………….(cross multiplied)
Tree = 15.63 + 5 (your height)
Tree = 20.63 feet
 Angels of elevation and depression

Example 2: You are standing on top of a building, looking at a

park in the distance. The angle of depression is 53⁰. If the
building you are standing on is 100 feet tall, how far away is the
park? The angle between the building and that of depression is
37⁰. ( IGNORE YOUR HEIGHT)
 Angels of elevation and depression

Solution
tan 37⁰ =
=
 Angels of elevation and depression

tan 37⁰ =
therefore: d= 100 tan 37⁰
= 75.36 feet
 Angels of elevation and depression

Task 1: Activity 3.26

Numbers: 2, 4, 7 and 11
END OF SESSION 4
ENQUIRIES : − 𝑏± √ 𝑏2 − 4 𝑎𝑐
2𝑎
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