Question

The sail of a boat is in the shape of a right triangle, as shown below:

Which expression shows the height, in meters, of the sail?

Answer 1

D (I just took the test)

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

D

Step-by-step explanation:

The solution to the problem is
`(2)/(cot 40)`

How did we arrive at this:

We are going to use trigonometric ratios to solve this problem. The diagram of the sail forms a perfect and unique right angle triangle.

From the diagram, we can easily decipher the:

• hypotenuse axis
• opposite axis
• adjacent axis

From the given diagram, we know:

Adjacent axis and the opposite angle;

tan Ф =
`(opposite)/(adjacent)`

The unknown axis faces the opposite side;

Opposite = adjacent x tan Ф

Opposite = 2 x tan Ф

Note;

tan Ф = 1/ cot Ф

opposite = 2 x 1/ cot Ф