Question

trigonometry stuff

Answer 1

Meteorologist Wendy Stevens uses a theodolite (an angle-measuring device) on a 1-meter- tall tripod to find the height of a weather balloon. She views the balloon at a 44° angle of elevation. A radio signal from the balloon tells her that it is 1400 meters from her theodolite.

a. How high is the balloon?

b. How far is she from the point directly below the balloon?

c. If Wendy’s theodolite were on the ground rather than on a tripod, would your answers change? Explain your reasoning

Answer 2

You have a right triangle.

Opposite Side is one meter less than the height. <== Answer to "c" is hiding in here.
Adjacent Side is the distance to the point directly underneath.
Hypotenuse is 1400 m.
Acute angle at the weather observer is 44º.
Acute angle at baloon is 90º - 44º