An airplane pilot finds the measure of the angle of depression of the edge of the runway to be 47°. If the altitude of the plane is 550 feet, what is the distance from a point on the ground directly below the plane to the edge of the runway? 550 ft

Trigonometry (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134217437
Author:Margaret L. Lial, John Hornsby, David I. Schneider, Callie Daniels
Publisher:Margaret L. Lial, John Hornsby, David I. Schneider, Callie Daniels
Chapter1: Trigonometric Functions
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RE: 1. Give the measures of the complement and the supplement of an angle measuring 35°.
icon
Related questions
Question
**Problem Statement:**

An airplane pilot finds the measure of the angle of depression of the edge of the runway to be 47°. If the altitude of the plane is 550 feet, what is the distance from a point on the ground directly below the plane to the edge of the runway?

**Diagram Explanation:**

The diagram illustrates a right triangle formed by the altitude of the plane (550 feet) as the opposite side, the distance (x) on the ground from the point directly below the plane to the edge of the runway as the adjacent side, and the hypotenuse as the line of sight from the airplane to the runway edge.

**Options for Distance (x):**

- \( x = 512.9 \, \text{ft} \)
- \( x = 589.8 \, \text{ft} \)
- \( x = 752.0 \, \text{ft} \)
- \( x = 806.5 \, \text{ft} \)

**Solution Approach:**

To find the distance x, we can use the tangent function for the angle of depression:
\[ \tan(47^\circ) = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}} = \frac{550}{x} \]

Solve for x:
\[ x = \frac{550}{\tan(47^\circ)} \]

Calculate this value to determine which option is correct.

**Educational Context:**

This problem is a practical application of trigonometry, demonstrating how angles of depression can be used to calculate distances in aviation contexts.
Transcribed Image Text:**Problem Statement:** An airplane pilot finds the measure of the angle of depression of the edge of the runway to be 47°. If the altitude of the plane is 550 feet, what is the distance from a point on the ground directly below the plane to the edge of the runway? **Diagram Explanation:** The diagram illustrates a right triangle formed by the altitude of the plane (550 feet) as the opposite side, the distance (x) on the ground from the point directly below the plane to the edge of the runway as the adjacent side, and the hypotenuse as the line of sight from the airplane to the runway edge. **Options for Distance (x):** - \( x = 512.9 \, \text{ft} \) - \( x = 589.8 \, \text{ft} \) - \( x = 752.0 \, \text{ft} \) - \( x = 806.5 \, \text{ft} \) **Solution Approach:** To find the distance x, we can use the tangent function for the angle of depression: \[ \tan(47^\circ) = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}} = \frac{550}{x} \] Solve for x: \[ x = \frac{550}{\tan(47^\circ)} \] Calculate this value to determine which option is correct. **Educational Context:** This problem is a practical application of trigonometry, demonstrating how angles of depression can be used to calculate distances in aviation contexts.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps with 2 images

Blurred answer
Recommended textbooks for you
Trigonometry (11th Edition)
Trigonometry (11th Edition)
Trigonometry
ISBN:
9780134217437
Author:
Margaret L. Lial, John Hornsby, David I. Schneider, Callie Daniels
Publisher:
PEARSON
Trigonometry (MindTap Course List)
Trigonometry (MindTap Course List)
Trigonometry
ISBN:
9781305652224
Author:
Charles P. McKeague, Mark D. Turner
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Algebra and Trigonometry
Algebra and Trigonometry
Trigonometry
ISBN:
9781938168376
Author:
Jay Abramson
Publisher:
OpenStax
Trigonometry (MindTap Course List)
Trigonometry (MindTap Course List)
Trigonometry
ISBN:
9781337278461
Author:
Ron Larson
Publisher:
Cengage Learning