A boy is flying a kite. His kite string is extended 50 meters long. The boy is 1.7 meters tall, and the angle of elevation of the kite to the boy's hands is 12°. How high is the kite flying above the ground? 50m 12° 1.7 m

Elementary Geometry For College Students, 7e
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ISBN:9781337614085
Author:Alexander, Daniel C.; Koeberlein, Geralyn M.
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### Geometry Problem: Calculating the Height of a Kite

**Problem Statement:**
A boy is flying a kite. His kite string is extended 50 meters long. The boy is 1.7 meters tall, and the angle of elevation of the kite to the boy's hands is 12°. How high is the kite flying above the ground?

**Diagram Explanation:**
The diagram illustrates a boy flying a kite. There are several key measurements and angles depicted:

1. **Kite String Length (Hypotenuse)**: The kite string, which is the hypotenuse of the right triangle, is 50 meters long.
2. **Angle of Elevation**: The angle between the string and the horizontal ground is 12°.
3. **Boy's Height**: The height of the boy from the ground to his hands is 1.7 meters.
4. **Vertical Height (x)**: The distance from the boy’s hands to the kite, vertically aligned, is represented as \( x \).

The goal is to determine the total height of the kite above the ground.

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Establish the Right Triangle**:
   - The hypotenuse is 50 meters.
   - The angle of elevation is 12°.

2. **Calculate the Vertical Component**:
   Using the sine function for the angle of elevation:
   \[
   \sin(12^\circ) = \frac{\text{Opposite Side (Vertical Component)}}{\text{Hypotenuse (Kite String Length)}}
   \]
   Let \( h \) be the vertical component from the boy's hands to the kite:
   \[
   \sin(12^\circ) = \frac{h}{50}
   \]
   Therefore:
   \[
   h = 50 \times \sin(12^\circ)
   \]
   Using a calculator:
   \[
   h \approx 50 \times 0.2079 \approx 10.395 \text{ meters}
   \]

3. **Total Height Above Ground**:
   Add the boy's height to the vertical component, \( x \):
   \[
   \text{Total Height} = h + \text{Boy's Height}
   \]
   \[
   \text{Total Height} \approx 10.395 + 1.7 \approx 12.095 \text{ meters}
Transcribed Image Text:### Geometry Problem: Calculating the Height of a Kite **Problem Statement:** A boy is flying a kite. His kite string is extended 50 meters long. The boy is 1.7 meters tall, and the angle of elevation of the kite to the boy's hands is 12°. How high is the kite flying above the ground? **Diagram Explanation:** The diagram illustrates a boy flying a kite. There are several key measurements and angles depicted: 1. **Kite String Length (Hypotenuse)**: The kite string, which is the hypotenuse of the right triangle, is 50 meters long. 2. **Angle of Elevation**: The angle between the string and the horizontal ground is 12°. 3. **Boy's Height**: The height of the boy from the ground to his hands is 1.7 meters. 4. **Vertical Height (x)**: The distance from the boy’s hands to the kite, vertically aligned, is represented as \( x \). The goal is to determine the total height of the kite above the ground. **Step-by-Step Solution:** 1. **Establish the Right Triangle**: - The hypotenuse is 50 meters. - The angle of elevation is 12°. 2. **Calculate the Vertical Component**: Using the sine function for the angle of elevation: \[ \sin(12^\circ) = \frac{\text{Opposite Side (Vertical Component)}}{\text{Hypotenuse (Kite String Length)}} \] Let \( h \) be the vertical component from the boy's hands to the kite: \[ \sin(12^\circ) = \frac{h}{50} \] Therefore: \[ h = 50 \times \sin(12^\circ) \] Using a calculator: \[ h \approx 50 \times 0.2079 \approx 10.395 \text{ meters} \] 3. **Total Height Above Ground**: Add the boy's height to the vertical component, \( x \): \[ \text{Total Height} = h + \text{Boy's Height} \] \[ \text{Total Height} \approx 10.395 + 1.7 \approx 12.095 \text{ meters}
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