Question

A 45 foot long escalator rises from the first floor to the second floor of a shopping mall. The escalator makes a 30° angle with the horizontal. How high above the first floor is the second floor?

A. 26 ft
B. 78 ft
C. 22.5 ft
D. 45 ft

Answer 1

In a 30-60-90 triangle, the side opposite the 30 degree angle is 1/2 the hypotenuse. So C

Answer 2

using trigonometry to solve.
SOH CAH TOA
we use sinx=opp/adj
sin(30)=x/45
hence, x=45sin(30)
x=22.5