Two birds sit at the top of two different trees that are both 29.7 feet tall. The distance between the first bird and a bird watcher on the ground is 42.1 feet.

What is the angle measure, or angle of depression, between this bird and the bird watcher?
http://learn.flvs.net/webdav/assessment_images/educator_geometry_v14/pool_Geom_3641_0402_06/image0014e2daa34.gif

I think I'm supposed to use Tan?

Question

Two birds sit at the top of two different trees that are both 29.7 feet tall. The distance between the first bird and a bird watcher on the ground is 42.1 feet.

What is the angle measure, or angle of depression, between this bird and the bird watcher?
http://learn.flvs.net/webdav/assessment_images/educator_geometry_v14/pool_Geom_3641_0402_06/image0014e2daa34.gif

I think I'm supposed to use Tan?

anonymous · Answer

@lgbasallote?

lgbasallote · Answer

nope...the diagonal line is a hypotenuse

anonymous · Answer

You are a noob.  Sinx= z/y
z=42.1 y= 29.7    
x=arcsin(42.1/29.7)

lgbasallote · Answer

remember that the hypotenuse is always opposite the 90 degree angle

anonymous · Answer

this forms a right angle triangle with the height of the tree as perpendicular the distance on ground as base and the line joining the bird and birdwatcher as hypotenuse you have to find the angle of the hypotenuse with the perpendicular to know the angle of depression which is equal to
let the anle be x then 
cot x = base / perpendicular ar as in your case

lgbasallote · Answer

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