Question

please help, i don't understand this at all. an explanation would be really appreciated!

A surveyor measures the angle of elevation at 20° for a point 5 miles away. What is the vertical change in elevation from the point where the surveyor is standing to the point 5 miles away?

Answer 1

thanks!! how does that relate to the problem can you explain that part? sorry

Answer 2

You are currently doing right triangle trigonometry in class, you have a right triangle. Use your trigonometry skills to solve for y.

Answer 3

how can i find y from here?

Answer 4

@stamp

Answer 5

From the triangle, you get the following ratio:
\[\tan20^0=\frac{y}{5} \]

Answer 6

thanks :)

Answer 7

oh ok i see

Answer 8

so would that be the answer?

Answer 9

@sithsandgiggles

Answer 10

@erin512 You need to be slightly independent when it comes to doing your homework. Read your textbook, I am serious, read the whole section on this topic, and then come back if you still do not understand.

Answer 11

ok, i dont understand all the stuff in the textbook, i dont want u to give me the answer i just need help on how to find it. the textbook doesn't explain it step by step or even work the problem

Answer 12

\[\tan20^0=\frac{y}{5}\\
y=5\tan20^0\]
All you have to do is use a calculator, unless you have tan(20°) memorized.

Answer 13

It is a bit difficult to help you any further without giving you the answer. I am guessing you are in middle school taking an Algebra I class? Or is this Geometry.

Answer 14

0.36 is tan(20degrees) right?

Answer 15

this is trig

Answer 16

oh or is it tan20^0

Answer 17

cause thats 1.56

Answer 18

@erin512 Ok so I assume they do not place you in trigonometry without a background in algebra. Once you have your ratio, you solve for the variable y (see @SithsAndGiggles reply). \[y=5tan(20°)\]

Answer 19

It is 20°, Sith was using a 0 in lieu of a degree symbol.

Answer 20

i got 1.82

Answer 21

is that right?

Answer 22

@erin512 I do not know, I often do not use calculators and I do not have one on my person.

Answer 23

http://mathway.com

Answer 24

@erin512 It is 1.82, you are correct.

Answer 25

thank you :) is there another step or is that it?

Answer 26

Make sure to include your unit, miles. The answer is 1.82 miles. See the updated picture to visualize what we just accomplished.

Answer 27

thank you so much, i understand it a bit better now

Answer 28

so y=1.82 miles basically

Answer 29

@erin512 What is the vertical change in elevation from the point where the surveyor is standing to the point 5 miles away? The vertical change in elevation y is 1.82 miles.

Answer 30

thanks so much!!!