Trigonometry/Pre-Calc problem: A pole leans away from the sun at an angle of 7 degrees to the vertical. When the elevation of the sun is 51 degrees, the pole casts a shadow 42 ft long on level ground. How long is the pole?

Question

inkyvoyd · Answer

first step: draw a picture

anonymous · Answer

^^^^

ucreategames · Answer

|dw:1457840125428:dw|

ucreategames · Answer

My apologies for such a horrible drawing

wolf1728 · Answer

I'm guessing that angle ABC = 83 degrees?

ucreategames · Answer

If I may ask, how would I get that?

wolf1728 · Answer

The pole line CB makes a 7 degree angle with the vertical.  so angle ABC should equal 90 degrees minus 7 = 83

ucreategames · Answer

Wow... I totally missed that! Thank you so much! The rest I could finish. Have a nice night.

wolf1728 · Answer

Gee thanks - and you have a nice night too :-)

ucreategames · Answer

Haha. Thanks