Question

An observer (O) is located 900 feet from a building (B). The observer notices a helicopter (H) flying at a 49° angle of elevation from his line of sight. What equation and trigonometric function can be used to solve for the height ( h) of the helicopter? Pick another trigonometric function and describe why that function is not appropriate when trying to solve for ( h). You must show all work and calculations.

Answer 1

tangent = opp/adj i think, but how to solve it?

Answer 2

@wio

Answer 3

We want to use TOA

Use TANGENT for ratio of OPPOSITE side divided by the ADJACENT side.

Answer 4

how? im no good with these:(

Answer 5

\[
\tan(49^\circ) = \frac{h}{900}
\]

Answer 6

ok then?

Answer 7

What on earth is this question on! The building seems to be totally irrelevant - it is only useful if the helicopter is known to be exactly above the building, which is not a reasonable assumption.

This question requires too many assumptions - the 900 feet is th edistance to the building - not necessarily to the helicopter....

Answer 8

Then you can say: \[
\sin (49^\circ ) = \frac{h}{\overline{HO}}
\]which is not approproate because \(\overline{HO}\) is not given.

Answer 9

ok

Answer 10

there he goes wio

Answer 11

in its natural habitat

Answer 12

what was the height?

Answer 13

lol ikr hes good!

Answer 14

lets move in closer to get a better look at our specimen, watch how he carefully gently pushes the keys down

Answer 15

You are not asked to find the height , only to say what trig function would enable you to do it (if oyu were given appropriate information)

Answer 16

laTex is in my bones

Answer 17

actually it does ask me

Answer 18

hahah we lost a wio! you scared him off

Answer 19

We could say\[
\overline{HO} =\sqrt{h^2+900^2}
\]But still \[
\sin(49^\circ) =\frac{h}{\sqrt{h^2+900^2}}
\]Is really hard compared to just : \[
\tan(49^\circ) = \frac{h}{900}
\]

Answer 20

What equation and trigonometric function can be used to solve for the height ( h) of the helicopter

that is the question - not 'what is th eheight h

Answer 21

Also they will punish you if you write \(\overline{HO}\) too many times.

Answer 22

hahah

Answer 23

sorry i posted the wrong uestion

Answer 24

An observer (O) is located 900 feet from a building (B). The observer notices a helicopter (H) flying at a 49° angle of elevation from his line of sight. What equation and trigonometric function can be used to solve for the height (h) of the helicopter? What is the height of the helicopter? Pick another trigonometric function and describe why that function is not appropriate when trying to solve for (h). You must show all work and calculations to receive full credit.

Answer 25

why do i feel like u havent read the question yet

Answer 26

So Wio gave you the equation (with tan49 in it)

Solve that equation for h

Answer 27

Does he always do this?

Answer 28

nah heat is a good guy we can trust him

Answer 29

use a calculator heat

Answer 30

im sorry, i had looked for the question on another openstudy page, and i copied the question from there, turns out it was different

Answer 31

what is tan(49)?

Answer 32

ok dan

Answer 33

solve the equation!

Answer 34

tan(49)=h/900 ...

Answer 35

-3.17290855216 = h/900

Answer 36

uhh

Answer 37

use degree mode

Answer 38

1.15036840722 = h/900

Answer 39

okay better,...

Answer 40

continue

Answer 41

what does h have to be then

Answer 42

How did you get to be a 'Human Calculator' if you can't do this?

Answer 43

im no good with these mrnood

Answer 44

hey dont question the mans ability

Answer 45

h is 1.15036840722

Answer 46

Huh!

Answer 47

no no

Answer 48

oh lol see i suck xD

Answer 49

1.15036840722 = h/900

Answer 50

of course I question his abilkity - it is a simple formula with 1 unknown - solve it

Answer 51

HEIGHT OVER 900 = 1 point something

Answer 52

900/900 is 1

Answer 53

so height is greater than 900 if its 1 point something right

Answer 54

multiply both sides by 900

Answer 55

ohhh

Answer 56

\[
1.15\approx \frac{h}{900}\implies 1.5\cdot 900\approx h
\]

Answer 57

h = 1035.3315665

Answer 58

ok better

Answer 59

good job

Answer 60

GOOD JOB HOMIE

Answer 61

omg sorry i thought it was harder

Answer 62

now it said pick another trigonometric function and see why its innapropriate when solving for h

Answer 63

that would be what wio showed me right??

Answer 64

I explained that before. Reread it.

Answer 65

ok one sec

Answer 66

ok got it HO is not given so its inappropriate when finding h

Answer 67

thanks to the both of ya, uhm can you give each other medals, and who wants mine? xD