To find the height of a pole, a surveyor moves 160 feet away from the base of the pole and then, with a transit 6 feet tall, measures the angle of elevation to the top of the pole to be 62 degrees. What is the height of the pole?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Can you try to draw it?

anonymous · Answer

@zepdrix @dan815 @TheSmartOne

anonymous · Answer

|dw:1431303033914:dw|

anonymous · Answer

Cool, so do you know the trig functions?

anonymous · Answer

tangent

anonymous · Answer

I just don't really know how to enter it on a Calculator

anonymous · Answer

Okay, what is the equation for tangent?  Do you know it?

anonymous · Answer

no, i need help

anonymous · Answer

wait I think, but im not sure

anonymous · Answer

Okay, well the equation is: $$
\tan(\text{angle})  = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}}
$$So we have: $$
\tan(62^\circ) = \frac{x}{160\ \text{ft}}
$$So now, we must solve for $x$.

anonymous · Answer

haha I know this i put that in the drawing but i ment the steps after this

anonymous · Answer

How do you isolate $x$?

anonymous · Answer

Where are you stuck? Is your calculator in degree mode?

anonymous · Answer

I can get down all the way to these steps. I don't know how I would enter it on the calculator though

anonymous · Answer

First of all$$ 
x = \tan(62^\circ) \times 160\ \text{ft}
$$On you calculator, is should have a $\tan$ button.  You should see what happens when you press it.

anonymous · Answer

okay

anonymous · Answer

what would the final answer be after i enter it @wio

anonymous · Answer

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=tan%2862+%29+*+160+ft

anonymous · Answer

oh ok i see now, thanks you so much for your help <3