Question

The University of Central Florida is planning to build a new access ramp for wheelchairs at its education building. The main entrance to the building is 4 feet above the sidewalk level. The angle of elevation from where the ramp and sidewalk would meet is 8.1°. Determine the length of the ramp to the nearest tenth of a foot.

Answer 1

0.6 feet

Explanation:

We solve this question using the Trigonometric function of Tangent.

tan θ = Opposite/Adjacent.

Where:

Opposite = Height /Length of the ramp = ?

Adjacent = Distance from the base of the ramp = 4 feet

θ = 8.1°

Therefore,

tan 8.1° = x/4

Cross Multiply

x = tan 8.1 × 4

x = 0.5692843028 feet

Approximately = 0.6 feet

Length of the ramp = 0.6 feet.