From a launch pad, a rocket is launched at an angle of 60° relative to sea level.

After the rocket has traveled a total distance of 300 feet, what is its vertical height above sea level? Round the distance to the nearest foot.

Vertical height = _____ feet

Question

From a launch pad, a rocket is launched at an angle of 60° relative to sea level.

After the rocket has traveled a total distance of 300 feet, what is its vertical height above sea level? Round the distance to the nearest foot.

Vertical height = _____ feet

anonymous · Answer

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anonymous · Answer

the answer is 300 x 60

anonymous · Answer

so 18,000?? @Forever_Malia

jtvatsim · Answer

I don't think the answer is 300 x 60. It has something to do with trigonometry.

jtvatsim · Answer

Certainly the answer must be less than 300 ft, because the hypotenuse is always the longest side.

anonymous · Answer

so what do you think it might be @jtvatsim

jtvatsim · Answer

Well, we could say that the vertical height is the "opposite" side compared to the angle 60*.

jtvatsim · Answer

So, we have a situation of opposite and hypotenuse, which suggests we use sin(60*) = opposite/hypotenuse.

jtvatsim · Answer

We know what the hypotenuse is, so we can plug in and solve for the opposite.

anonymous · Answer

okay for sin60 I got 0.8660 @jtvatsim

jtvatsim · Answer

OK, so then,

hypotenuse*sin(60*) = opposite
or
300*0.8660 = opposite.

jtvatsim · Answer

Looks like about 260 feet. Makes sense.

anonymous · Answer

okay thanks, can you help me with one more please @jtvatsim

jtvatsim · Answer

Sure thing, and if not, I'm sure someone else will. :)

anonymous · Answer

wait nevermind I think I got it thanks dude! :) @jtvatsim

jtvatsim · Answer

Awesome! Congrats!