Question

Determine the horizontal distance between the technician and the base of the telephone pole to the nearest tenth of a foot .

Answer 1

To solve this problem, we will use the trigonometric function tangent, recall that, by definition in a right triangle:

`tan\theta=\frac{opposite\text{ side}}{adjacent\text{ side}}.`

In the given triangle:

`\begin{gathered} \theta=25^(\circ), \\ opposite\text{ side=175 ft,} \\ adjacent\text{ side =d,} \end{gathered}`

where d is the distance we are looking for. Therefore:

`tan25^(\circ)=(175ft)/(d).`

Solving the above equation for d, we get:

`d=(175ft)/(tan25^(\circ)).`

Finally, we get:

`d=375.3ft.`

Answer:

`\begin{equation*} 375.3ft. \end{equation*}`