Question

A plane is flying over your head at 30, 000 feet. You calculate the angle of elevation to be 65 degrees . At that time how far is the plane from you?(round to the nearest foot)

Answer 1

Refer to the attachment

Answer 2

• 33101 ft

Explanation:

• Let the distance is x.
• The height is 30000 ft.
• The angle of elevation is 65°

Use trigonometry to solve.

x is the hypotenuse and 30000 ft is the opposite side of 65° angle:

• sine = opposite / hypotenuse
• sin 65° = 30000 / x
• x = 30000 / sin 65°
• x = 33101 ft (rounded)