Question

The world's tallest unsupported flagpole is a 282ft tall steel pole in Surrey, British Columbia. The shortest shadow cast by the pole during the year is 137ft long. To the nearest degree, what is the angle of elevation of the sun when casting the flagpole's shortest shadow?

A. 26
B. 29
C. 61
D. 64

Answer 1

The answer is D . 64
x = arctan(282/137)
x = 64.0887952°

Answer 2

The angle of elevation of the sun when casting the flagpole's shortest shadow is
`64^(\circ)` .

Option (D) is correct .

Explanation:

As given

The world's tallest unsupported flagpole is a 282ft tall steel pole in Surrey, British Columbia.

The shortest shadow cast by the pole during the year is 137ft long.

Now by using the trignometric identity .

`tan\theta = (Perpendicular)/(Base)`

As the figure is given below

Perpendicular = AB = 282 ft

Base = BC = 147 ft

Putting all the values in the trignometric identity .

`tan\theta = (AB)/(BC)`

`tan\theta = (282)/(147)`

`\theta =tan^(-1) (282)/(137)`

`\theta = 64^(\circ)\ (Approx)`

Therefore the angle of elevation of the sun when casting the flagpole's shortest shadow is
`64^(\circ)` .

Option (D) is correct .