Question

A shadow is cast by a pole. The angle of elevation from the end of the shadow to the top of

the pole is 35 degrees. If the distance from the base of the pole to the end of the shadow is 22
feet, how far is it from the end of the shadow to the top of the pole?

Answer 1

The distance from the end of the shadow to the top of the pole is found to be approximately 15.49 feet.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this case, the opposite side is the length of the pole that we are trying to find, and the adjacent side is the distance from the pole to the end of the shadow, which is 22 feet.

The tangent of the angle of elevation (35 degrees) is equal to the opposite side (the length of the pole, which we'll call 'x') divided by the adjacent side (22 feet):

tan(35°) = x / 22 feet

To find 'x', multiply both sides of the equation by 22 feet:

x = tan(35°) × 22 feet

Using a calculator, we find:

x ≈ tan(35°) × 22 ≈ 15.49 feet

Therefore, the distance from the end of the shadow to the top of the pole is approximately 15.49 feet.