Question

http://prntscr.com/amxthb
Question.
Why can't we use the hypotenuse to find the height of the shorter building? Why must we use the leg?

Answer 1

The hypotenuse is not the same as the height, because it has a different measurement.

Answer 2

@PianoGirl3

I'm still not quite understanding.

Why can't it be used for height?

Like, what would it be measuring in that picture opposed to the leg that was measuring height?

Why can't it be used to measure the distance between the top of the taller building and the shorter one?

Answer 3

I'm sorry...I would need to see the picture and measurements to further explain.

Answer 4

The picture is in the original post.

Copy and paste in html. : )

@pianogirl3

Answer 5

you could do this.

Answer 6

find h using hypotenuse side and the angle

Answer 7

or find A and subtract 207-A = h

Answer 8

There are so many variations go solve for h

Answer 9

@raffle_snaffle

So you can use cosine to solve it?

Also, how would you solve for A?

@raffle_snaffle

Answer 10

Lets not solve for A because it would be more complicated.

Answer 11

what is angle B?

Answer 12

I know haha, I'm just interested in seeing how you'd do it.

Could you do cosine15=51/x and solve?

Answer 13

The angle of elevation is the same as the angle of depression.

Answer 14

yeah you could do that to solve for the height

Answer 15

yes it is you are right

Answer 16

Oh cool.

Alright, would you show me how to solve A?

I know it's a more complicated method, but I'm just really curious to know how you'd do that haha.