Question

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?

Answer 1

Can you try to draw it?

Answer 2

@zepdrix @dan815 @TheSmartOne

Answer 3

Cool, so do you know the trig functions?

Answer 4

tangent

Answer 5

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

Answer 6

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

Answer 7

no, i need help

Answer 8

wait I think, but im not sure

Answer 9

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 \(x\).

Answer 10

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

Answer 11

How do you isolate \(x\)?

Answer 12

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

Answer 13

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

Answer 14

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.

Answer 15

okay

Answer 16

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

Answer 17

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

Answer 18

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