Question

Two stabilizing wires extend from the top of a pole to the ground, forming right triangles on

either side of the pole. One wire forms an angle of 38° with the ground and the other wire
forms an angle of 67° with the ground. The distance between where each of the wires attaches
to the ground is 30 meters. How tall is the pole?

Answer 1

Answer: the height of the pole is 16.1 m.

Explanation:

The scenario is illustrated in the attached photo.

x represents the height of the pole.

y represents the distance from the foot of one stabilizing wire to the foot of the pole.

30 - y represents the distance from the foot of the other stabilizing wire to the foot of the pole.

In solving the triangles, we would apply the tangent trigonometric ratio which is expressed as

Tan θ, = opposite side/adjacent side.

Considering triangle ACD,

Tan 60 = x/y

x = ytan60 = y × 1.732

x = 1.732y- - - - - - - - -1

Considering triangle BCD,

Tan 38 = x/(30 - y)

x = (30 - y)tan38 = 0.781(30 - y)

x = 23.43 - 0.781y- - - - - - - - -2

Substituting equation 1 into equation 2, it becomes

1.732y = 23.43 - 0.781y

1.732y + 0.781y = 23.43

2.513y = 23.43

y = 23.43/2.513

y = 9.3

x = 1.732y = 1.732 × 9.3

x = 16.1 m