#1

Step 1: Make a detailed sketch of the situation.

Step 2: Assign variables to represent the relevant unknowns. In this example, we shall
use the variable y to represent the vertical leg of the right triangle, and h to represent
the height of the building.

Step 3: Use SOHCAHTOA to solve for the unknown side of the right triangle:

y
tan 50=
36
y=36 tan50
y=36 (1.19175)
y=42.90 feet

Step 4: Determine the height of the building: Since Michaels eyes are six feet from the
ground, we must add six feet to variable y to get h:

h=6+ y
h=6+42.90
h=48.90 49 feet

#2

Let CD is the tree, CD = h m high and BC is the river, BC = x.

The observer is standing at A, From figure DAC = 300 and DBC = 600.
Step 1:

o DC
tan 60 =
BC
DC
3=
BC

x

Step 2:

DC
tan 30o =
AC

AC = AB+BC =40+ x

x+40=h

Step 3:
Plug the value of h into the equation is step 2.

x+ 40= x )

x+40=3 x
2 x =40
x=20
Step 4:
Plug the value of x into the equation in step 1.

20
34.64=h

The height of the tree is 34.64 meters; the width of the river is 20 meters
#3

Let OB be the cliff of height 150 m, A be the position of the ship the angle of depression
of the ship is 19o
30'.

OA=adjacent side
OB=opposite side=150 meters

o 30 '
OA OA
19 = =
OB 150
cot

OA=150 cot( 19o 30 ')

150 tan(9019o 30' )

OA=150 tan (70o 30')

150(2.8239)
423.59 m

Therefore the distance from the ship to the point on the shore is 423.59 meters.
#4

Angle A is the complement of 6 degrees.

Angle A=84 degrees.

x
tan 84 = Multiply 30,000 on both sides
30,000
30,000 tan 84 =x
285430.9336=x This is in feet, however. We must divide by 5280 to get miles.
285430.9339
=x
5280
54.1 miles=x

#5
Use tangent to find the height of the tree
x
tan 58=
20
20 tan 58=x
32 feet= x

#6
 o x
tan 28 =
34
x
0.53170943=
34
0.53170943(34)=x
18.07=x

The cat has climbed up approximately 18 meters.

#7

a) Set up an equation representing the situation from the first vantage point.
Your equation will incorporate the 30 angle, x, y, and the 50 feet.
b) Set up an equation representing the situation from the second vantage point.
Your equation will incorporate the 40, x, and y.

c) You now have two equations in two variables. Solve them simultaneously to
determine the value of x, the distance from the second vantage point to the base of
the building.

d) Solve for y, the height of the building.

SOLUTION:

y
a) tan 30=
50+ x
y
b) tan 40=
x
c) y=50 tan 30+ x tan 30
y=x tan 40

x tan 40=50 tan 30+ x tan30 Set equations equal to each other.

x tan 40x tan 30=50 tan 30 Subtract on both sides.

x (tan 40tan30)=50 tan 30 Factor out x.

50 tan 30
x= Divide both sides to isolate x in order to find the value.
tan 40tan30

x=110.3 feet

d) y=x tan 40
y=110.3 tan 40
y=92.5 feet

#8
We can use sin to find out how deep the ship is
x
sin 23=
238
238 sin 23=x
92.99 feet =x
The ship is 92.99 feet underwater.

#9

We can use cosine to find x.

8
cos 40=
x
8/ cos 40=x
10.44=x
10.44 meters is the distance from the squirrel and the dog.

#10
The total height can be found using tangent then adding five feet.
h
tan 70=
50
50 tan 70=h
137.37 ft =h
Then add the five feet because Tammis eyes are five feet above the ground.
142.37 feet is the total height of the building.