Question

5. An observer located 3 km from a rocket launch site sees a rocket at an angle of elevation of 38°. How high is the rocket at that moment?

Answer 1

We solve as follows:

+First, we determine the value of the hypotenuse:

`\cos (38)=(3)/(h)\Rightarrow h=(3)/(\cos(38))\Rightarrow h\approx3.8`

Now, we use this to find the missing side (the altitude of the rocket):

`a=\sqrt[]{((3)/(\cos(38)))^2-3^2}\Rightarrow a\approx2.34`

So, the rocket had an altitude of approximately 2.34 Km.