There are several problems in the textbook (all even questions, so no answer to judge by) with no example given and I am at loss as to how to answer. I would appreciate some guidance as to how to start, or the direction I need to go in. If I get one answered, I can do the rest! We have only just covered 45-45-90 and 30-60-90 triangles and tan. Here is the question:
When the sun is shining at a 62 degree angle of elevation, a flagpole forms a shadow of length x feet. Later, the sun shines at an angle of 45 degrees, and the shadow is 16 feet longer than before. Write two expressions for the height h of the flagpole in terms of x. How tall is the flagpole, round to nearest tenth.
Okay, part one, I've got: h= (16 + x)(tan 45 degrees) and h= x (tan 62 degrees)
Part two is where my brain freezes! Don't I need at least one length to do this? Do I make the two h's equal to each other? Do I solve for each triangle? If I do the second, I end up with x's, h's and y's!
Any guidance would be appreciated. Brain needs a jog after summer vacation!
When the sun is shining at a 62 degree angle of elevation, a flagpole forms a shadow of length x feet. Later, the sun shines at an angle of 45 degrees, and the shadow is 16 feet longer than before. Write two expressions for the height h of the flagpole in terms of x. How tall is the flagpole, round to nearest tenth.
Okay, part one, I've got: h= (16 + x)(tan 45 degrees) and h= x (tan 62 degrees)
Part two is where my brain freezes! Don't I need at least one length to do this? Do I make the two h's equal to each other? Do I solve for each triangle? If I do the second, I end up with x's, h's and y's!
Any guidance would be appreciated. Brain needs a jog after summer vacation!
