Question

A​ hot-air balloon is flying at an altitude of 2690 feet. If the angle of depression from the pilot in the balloon to a house on the ground below is 35​ degrees, how far is the house from the​ pilot?

Answer 1

9514 1404 393

Answer:

4690 ft

Explanation:

The applicable trig relation is ...

Sin = Opposite/Hypotenuse

We want the hypotenuse of the right triangle that models the geometry.

sin(35°) = (2690 ft)/distance

distance = (2690 ft)/sin(35°) ≈ 4689.87 ft

The pilot is about 4690 ft from the house.