Question

1. In a recent wind storm a large tree broke and made a 58° angle

between the two parts of the trunk. Which length below

is closest to the total length of the tree before the storm?

58°

14 ft

Answer 1

*see attachement for diagram

Answer:

40.4 ft

Explanation:

Let the part that broke away be represented as "x"

Thus, the digram makes a right triangle shape.

The closest total length of tree before the storm = x + 14 ft

Apply trigonometric function to find x.

Reference angle = 58°

Side adjacent to reference angle = 14 ft

Hypotenuse = x

Apply CAH, which is:

Cos 58 = adj/hyp

Cos 58 = 14/x

x * Cos 58 = 14

x = 14/Cos 58

x = 26.4191188 ≈ 26.4 ft

✔️closest total length of tree before the storm = x + 14 ft = 26.4 + 14 = 40.4 ft