Question

Find the horizontal distance x the escalator covers to the nearest tenth of a foot.

Answer 1

Given:

Length of escalator = 26 ft

Angle of depression = 41 degrees

To find:

The horizontal distance x the escalator covers to the nearest tenth of a foot.

Solution:

In a right angle triangle,

`\cos \theta=(Base)/(Hypotenuse)`

Using this formula for the given triangle, we get

`\cos 41^\circ=(x)/(26)`

`26\cos 41^\circ=x`

`26(0.7547)=x`

`19.6222=x`

Round the value to the nearest tenth.

`x\approx 19.6`

Therefore, the escalator covers 19.6 ft horizontally.