Question

A tree casts a shadow that is 20 feet in length. If the angle of elevation is 32 degrees which of the following best represents the height of the tree

Answer 1

D. 12.5 ft

Explanation:

The mnemonic SOH CAH TOA reminds you that ...

Tan = Opposite/Adjacent

In this problem, you are given an angle, the side adjacent to it, and asked for the length opposite the angle. Hence the tangent relation is the appropriate one to use.

tan(32°) = height/(20 ft)

(20 ft)·tan(32°) = height ≈ 12.5 ft

The height of the tree is about 12.5 ft.