Question

A tower that is 103 feet tall casts. A shadow 104 feet long. Find the angle of elevation of the sun to the nearest degree.

Answer 1

Given: A tower and its shadow related as shown in the image

To Determine: The angle of elevation

Solution

Using the trigonometry ratio

`\begin{gathered} tan=(opposite)/(adjacent) \\ tanA=(103ft)/(104ft) \end{gathered}`
`tanA=0.9904`
`A=tan^(-1)(0.9904)`
`\begin{gathered} A=44.72^0 \\ A\approx45^0(nearest-degree) \end{gathered}`

hence, the angle of elevation A is approximately 45⁰