Question

What trigonometric ratio would you use to find the distance from the base of the tower to your keys? Explain your choice, and then calculate the distance. (4 points: 1 point for the ratio, 1 point for the explanation, 1 point for shown work, 1 point for the answer)

Trigonometric ratio (name): _______Tangent___________________
Explanation:

Calculation (Show your work.):

Answer 1

Answer: The trigonometric ratio that I would use to find the distance from the base of the tower to the keys is the tangent; tan (86°) = height / distance.

Explanation and calculation:

You can draw a right triangle with angle 86°, opposite leg equal to the height (50 meter) and adjacent leg equal to the distance from the base of the tower to the keys: tan (86°) = 50 m / x

=> x = 50 m / tan(86°)

x = 50 m / 14.30 = 0.98 m

Answer: 0.98 m