An observer (O) is located 500 feet from a school (S). The observer notices a bird (B) flying at a 39° angle of elevation from his line of sight. How high is the bird flying over the school? You must show all work and calculations to receive full credit.

A right triangle is shown with one leg measuring 500 and another leg measuring h, with an angle across from it measuring 39 degrees.

Question

An observer (O) is located 500 feet from a school (S). The observer notices a bird (B) flying at a 39° angle of elevation from his line of sight. How high is the bird flying over the school? You must show all work and calculations to receive full credit.

A right triangle is shown with one leg measuring 500 and another leg measuring h, with an angle across from it measuring 39 degrees.

snowflake0531 · Answer

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snowflake0531 · Answer

$$sin(\theta)=\frac{opposite}{hypotenuse}\cos(\theta)=\frac{adjacent}{hypotenuse}\tan(\theta)=\frac{opposite}{adjacent}$$

snowflake0531 · Answer

looking from the angle, you have adjacent and opposite, we would use tangent

snowflake0531 · Answer

tan(39) = x/500
x = tan(39) * 500