Question

Which expression shows the height, in meters, of the sail?

Answer 1

Let h represent the required height

To determne the value of h, we can use the trigonometric ratio (SOH-CAH-TOA)

Opposite = h

Adjacent = 2m

`\begin{gathered} tan40=(h)/(2) \\ \\ Take\text{ the inverse of both sides} \\ (1)/(tan40)=(2)/(h) \\ \\ But\text{ }(1)/(tan\theta)=cot\theta \\ \\ Thus,\text{ } \\ \frac{1}{tan\text{ 40 }}=cot40 \\ \\ Hence,\text{ }(1)/(tan40)=(2)/(h)\text{ becomes cot40 = }(2)/(h) \\ \\ cross\text{ multiply} \\ h\text{ x cot40 = 2} \\ h=(2)/(cot40) \end{gathered}`

The last option is the correct option.