Question

Find to the nearest degree the measure of the angle of elevation of the sun when a woman 150 cm tall casts a shadow 40 cm long.

Answer 1

The triangle formed is shown in the diagram below

The angle of elevation of the sun is represented by x. To determine x, we would apply the tangent trigonometric ratio which is expressed as

Tan# = opposite side/adjacent side

opposite side = 150

adjacent side = 40

Tan x = 150/40 = 3.75

x = Tan^-1(3.75)

x = 75.069

To the nearest degree, the measure of the angle of elevation of the sun is 75 degrees