Question

What is the distance between the points A and B on the flagpole?

Please explain how you got your answer using the trigonometric functions!

Answer 1

Hello!

Let's think of this large triangle as a whole. If we add up the angles, we have 115°. The adjacent side to this angle is 9 feet. Let's try finding the opposite side. The tangent deals with these two.

tan115≈2.14

Therefore, x/9=2.14

We multiply both sides by 9 to find x.

x=19.26

Now let's find the length BC and subtract it from 19.26 to find our length. As we will deal with opposite and adjacent sides, we will find the tangent.

tan45=1

This means x/9=1

Therefore, BC=9

Now we can subtract from 19.26

19.26-9=10.26

Therefore, this length is 10.26 feet

I hope this helps!