Question

A UFO is coming in to pick up some test subjects. Their elevation above the ground is 60,000 feet. Their laser sights tell them that a direct (diagonal) path to the nearest landing area is 90,000 feet away. What is the angle of depression as they come in to land?

Answer 1

41.83°

Explanation:

It is given that :

The vertical distance of the UFO from the ground = 60,000 feet

The diagonal distance of the landing area to the UFO = 90,000 feet

In order to find the angle of depression, we have to use the trigonometric ratios, i.e.,

`$\sin \ \theta = \frac{\text{perpendicular distance}}{\text{hypotenus}}$`

`$\sin \ \theta = (60,000)/(90,000)$`

`$\sin \ \theta = (2)/(3)$`

`$\sin \ \theta = 0.667$`

∴
`$\theta = \sin^(-1 )(0.667)$`

= 41.83°