From a boat on the lake, the angle of elevation to the top of a cliff is 11°50'. If the base of the cliff is 1568 feet from the boat, how high is the cliff (to the nearest foot)?

I know you solve with tan 11°50' = x/1568 but I don't understand how to put that in the calculator and what to solve by.

Question

From a boat on the lake, the angle of elevation to the top of a cliff is 11°50'. If the base of the cliff is 1568 feet from the boat, how high is the cliff (to the nearest foot)?

I know you solve with tan 11°50' = x/1568 but I don't understand how to put that in the calculator and what to solve by.

anonymous · Answer

oh i see you have to convert to a decimal first

anonymous · Answer

50 minutes is $\frac{50}{60}=\frac{5}{6}$ of a degree

anonymous · Answer

you are going to have to round

anonymous · Answer

but how would that be put into the calculator. like tan (11) or 5/6?

anonymous · Answer

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=1568+tan%2811.833333%29

anonymous · Answer

i just stopped typing the 3s after a while
should be close enough

anonymous · Answer

thank you!!!!