Explanation:
law of sine :
a/sinA = b/sinB = c/sinC
with the sides and correlating angles being always opposite to each other.
we are dealing with a right-angled triangle here.
the train track is the Hypotenuse (the side opposite of the 90° angle) : 1600 ft.
the horizontal level "connection" from beginning to the end of the track is one leg, and the elevation difference at the end of the track is the second leg.
the 2 legs enclose a 90° angle, as the elevation goes straight up from the horizontal level.
so, we have
1600/sin(90) = elevation difference / sin(1.6)
sin(90) = 1
1600 = elevation difference / sin(1.6)
elevation difference = 1600 × sin(1.6) =
= 1600 × 0.027921639... =
= 44.67462196... ft
≈ 44.7 ft