Question

A security light is being installed outside a loading dock. The light is mounted 75 feet above the ground and must be placed at a 49° angle so that it illuminates a parking lot. What is the distance from the end of the parking lot to the loading dock?

Answer 1

@JIM_THOMPSON5910??

Answer 2

hint: it helps to draw a triangle

Answer 3

let me know if that helps or not

Answer 4

I have no clue what to do :(

Answer 5

have you learned things like

sine = opposite/hypotenuse
cosine = adjacent/hypotenuse
tangent = opposite/adjacent

??

Answer 6

yeah but I don't understand

Answer 7

well looking at the 49 degree angle, what is the side x? is that the adjacent side? or opposite side?

Answer 8

opposite

Answer 9

so that makes the 75 the adjacent side

Answer 10

what trig function uses the opposite and the adjacent side?

Answer 11

tangent

Answer 12

good

Answer 13

tangent = opposite/adjacent

tan(angle) = opposite/adjacent

tan(49) = x/75

now solve for x

Answer 14

86.278

Answer 15

?

Answer 16

very good, you got it

Answer 17

YAYYy! THANKS!

Answer 18

you're welcome