Chapter 8.5, Problem 17PPS

To determine

To calculate:

The distance between tripod and monument

Answer to Problem 17PPS

The distance of tripod from monument is $154.9ft$

Explanation of Solution

Given information:

Height: $121ft$

Angle: $38°$

Calculation:

Let’s draw a figure to represent the given information:

  

If is a $△ABC$ right triangle with acute $\angle A$ , then the tangent of $\angle A$ is the ratio of the length of

leg opposite $\angle A$ to the length of the leg adjacent $\angle A$ .

As per the definition of tangent, the distance between tripod and monument is calculated as:

  $\begin{array}{l}\tan 38°=\frac{121}{x}\\ x=\frac{121}{\tan 38°}\\ x\approx 154.9ft\end{array}$