Question

How high is the point P of the weather balloon from a point R on the ground??
4 cot 30˚ miles
4/sec30 miles
4 cosec 30˚ miles
4/cot30 miles.

Answer 1

@AccessDenied Help please! i dont know trig !

Answer 2

So, we'll be using trigonometric functions for this (because of the answer choices).
Although we are given reciprocal trig functions as the answer choices, I want to use the more standard ones for clarity sake.

I guess if you don't know trigonometry, I'll give a quick definition of the trig functions. Basically, in a right triangle, we have three functions that deal with the ratios of sides. We take a non-right angle of the triangle and the relations follow:


The sine of the angle A is defined as the opposite side length over the hypotenuse length.
The cosine of the angle A is defined as the adjacent side length over the hypotenuse length.
The tangent of the angle A is defined as the opposite side length over the adjacent length.
Or, mathematically, we would write these as:
\[ \sin A = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{hypotenuse}} \\
\cos A = \frac{\text{adjacent}}{\text{hypotenuse}} \\
\tan A = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}} \]
You need not worry about why they're defined this way or anything, the important thing is that they help us find the side lengths right now. :)