Question

A shadow of length L is created by a(n) h =
523 foot building when the sun is θ
◦
above the
horizon.
a) Write L as a function of θ.
1. L = h cos θ
2. L = h tan θ
3. L = h sin θ
4. L = h csc θ
5. L = h sec θ
6. L = h cot θ

Answer 1

Draw the picture. You have the building (or at least a side of it, drawn as a vertical line), the ground (drawn as an horizontal line), and the sun's rays (drawn as a slanty line) which creates the shadow of the building on the ground.

You are given that the length along the ground is "L". You are given that the height of the building is "h". You are given that the angle of the sun's rays is "theta". Put these labels on your drawing.

You have two sides of a right triangle, and an angle. What trig ratio will fit this information?

Answer 2

h sin theta?

Answer 3

What was your reasoning?

Answer 4

opposite over hypotenuse, made sense to me. hypotenuse would be the sun angle?

Answer 5

Actually, the "hypotenuse" is one of the sides of the triangle.

http://www.google.com/search?q=hypotenuse

You are given an angle and two sides of the triangle. Which ratio(s) relate to these two sides in terms of that angle?