Question

The figure shows a weather balloon at point P.

Answer 1

use trig identities.

For example in respect to the angle you know... what are the sides?
The sides are adjacent and opposite. Remember that opposite and adjacent to the angle

Next we need to know which trig identity to use sin cos or tan?
Do you remember SOH CAH TOA

SOH=sin
CAH=cos
TOA=tan

where

O=Opposite side
A=Adjacent side
H=Hypotenuse

Now we have to pick the one that uses the Opposite side and Adjacent side....can you tell me what it is?

Answer 2

the opposite is line PR and adjacent is line RQ

Answer 3

Yes great point. Can you tell me which one are we going to use

sin, cos or tan?

Answer 4

I THINK it's cosine

Answer 5

That's not the right one.....look again at the information bellow
SOH=sin
CAH=cos
TOA=tan

where

O=Opposite side
A=Adjacent side
H=Hypotenuse

Which one has both O and A

Answer 6

Oh sorry wasn't thinking haha so it would definitely be sine

Answer 7

That's not the right one.....look again at the information bellow
SOH=sin
CAH=cos
TOA=tan

where

O=Opposite side
A=Adjacent side
H=Hypotenuse

Which one has both O and A

Answer 8

sine?

Answer 9

what are the three choices we have to pick from?

Answer 10

sine, cosine and tangent

Answer 11

TANGENT. I am so out of it

Answer 12

Great yes it's tangent.

Answer 13

what next?

Answer 14

\[\tan(35^0)=\frac{PR}{RQ}\]

Answer 15

let's call PR=x
and try to solve for x as the height

Answer 16

\[\tan(35^0)=\frac{x}{6}\]

Answer 17

Can you solve for x now?