trig. problem

T

terminator

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Jan 26, 2012
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From the top of a 9.5 metre vertical cliff overlooking a lake, John spots a canoe. If the angle formed from the top of the cliff down to the canoe is 70 how far away is the canoe.

tan 70 = 9.5/x ( if the angle is the bottom one, still confused about it..)

x = 3.45 approx.??

Thanks,

T
 
This is a good try. Take a look at where the 70 degree angle is. And if you have employed tangent properly as opposite over adjacent.

Making a diagram helps.

Hope this helps.

Write back if you have further problems.
 
final answer

So if it's the other angle then tan 70 = x/9.5 so x = 18.6?

Thanks,

Terminator
 
I think the problem has been posed in an ambiguous way.

If I were to do this problem, I would assume that the angle that the problem refers to is the "angle of depression" - since the measurement is done from a higher elevation. In that case your first interpretation is correct (i.e. x = 3.46 m).
 
I agree this problem is ambiguous. Are they asking for the distance from the top of the cliff to the canoe? In this case the distance would be the hypotenuse not the distance from the bottom of the cliff to the canoe.

I believe my previous post was wrong. I would write Cos(70)=9.5/x.

I am a little confused, someone please clarify.
 
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