Question

A 400-m tall tower casts a 600-m long shadow over a level ground. at what angle is the sun elevated above the horizon?

Answer 1

34°. (approx)

Step-by-step explanation:

The height of the tower is 400m.

The shadow over a level ground = 600m.

Trigonometric ratios can be used to find the angle of elevation.

By using the tangent (drawn below) :

tan
`\theta` = perpendicular / base

tan
`\theta` = 400/600.

tan
`\theta` = 2/3.

tan
`\theta` value at 2/3 is 33.60 ≈ 34.

Thus, the angle of elevation is 34.

Answer 2

We can use the trigonometric ratio to find the angle at which the sun is elevated;
Using tangent;
tan θ = opp/adj
tan θ = 400/600 = 2/3
θ = tan^-1 (2/3)
= 34°
Thus, the angle at which the sun is elevated above the horizon is 34 degrees