Pre-Calculus for non-STEM (Algebra & Trigonometry) The angle of inclination/elevation from the base line to the object is θ.

Chapter 4 – Trigonometry II
Semi-finals The angle of depression of an object refers to the angle whose initial side
is a horizontal line above the object and whose terminal side is the line-
of-sight to the object below the horizontal. This is represented
For the continuation of our past topic, were going to discuss the applied schematically below.
trigonometry.

ANGLE OF ELEVATION AND DEPRESSION

Right triangle trigonometry has many practical applications. For

example, the ability to compute the lengths of sides of a triangle makes it
possible to find the height of a tall object without climbing to the top or
having to extend a tape measure along its height. The following example
uses trigonometric functions as well as the concept of an ‘angle of
inclination’. The angle of inclination, commonly known as the angle of
elevation, of an object refers to the angle whose initial side is some kind
of horizontal base-line (say, the ground), and whose terminal side is the
line-of-sight to an object above the base-line. This is represented The angle of depression from the horizontal to the object is θ.
schematically below.

EXAMPLE 1
The angle of inclination, from a point on the ground 30 feet away from
the base of a water tower, to the top of the water tower, is 60°. Find the
height of the water tower to the nearest foot.

Solution: First step is to visualize the

problem and draw the schematic driagram
for you to understand the problem.

1
We can represent the problem situation using a right triangle as shown. If
we let h denote the height of the tower, then we have tan(60°) = .

We have

ℎ
tan(60°) =
30

ℎ = 30 × tan (60°)
Using trigonometric functions, we get a pair of equations:
𝒉 = 𝟑𝟎√𝟑 𝒇𝒕. ≈ 𝟓𝟏. 𝟗𝟔 𝒇𝒕.
ℎ ℎ
tan(45) = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 tan(30) =
Hence, the water tower is approximately 52 feet tall. 𝑥 𝑥 + 200

Since tan(45) = 1, the first equation gives = 1, or 𝑥 = ℎ. Substituting

this into the second equations gives
EXAMPLE 2 ℎ
tan(30) =
ℎ + 200
In order to determine the height of a California redwood tree, two
sightings from the ground, one 200 feet directly behind the other, are √3 ℎ
=
made. If the angles of inclination were 45° and 30°, respectively, how tall 3 ℎ + 200
is the tree to the nearest foot. Now solving for h:

Solution: Sketching the problem situation below, we find ourselves with √3(ℎ + 200) = 3ℎ
two unknowns: the height h of the tree and the distance x from the base
of the tree to the first observation point. √3ℎ + 200√3 = 3ℎ

200√3 = 3ℎ − √3ℎ

ℎ 3 − √3 = 200√3

200√3
ℎ= ≈ 𝟐𝟕𝟑. 𝟐𝟏 𝒇𝒕.
2 − √3
Hence, the tree is approximately 273 feet tall.
2
BEARING

In our study of trigonometry so far, we have been calculating Bearing – is a direction

unknown distances in triangles. We were given certain elements of a measure from North in
triangle and used either the trigonometric ratios or the sine and cosine a clockwise direction
rule to solve for any of the elements of the triangles. and is given only by an
angle. Bearings must
Often in navigation, it is necessary to determine the relative always be written using
position of objects and to calculate the distance of journeys. The rules we three digits. For angles
learned in trigonometry can be applied to solve problems involving both less than 100°, we
directions and distances. place a zero or zeros in
Bearings and the Cardinal Points front the number so as
to ensure there are
The four cardinal points are East, West, North and South. We often use it three digits.
to describe the position of one place on a map in relation to another
place. For example, North is on a bearing of 000° North East is on a bearing of
045°.

EXAMPLE 3
A plane flies on a bearing of 150° from A to B.
what is the Bearing of A to B

For positions that fall exactly between any two cardinal points, say
between North and East, we use NE, and between South and West we
use SW and between West and North we use NW. The diagram above
shows these directions.

To describe the position of points P and R from the origin, we follow the
conventions shown.
3
𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑇𝐵𝐴 = 30° (180° 𝑖𝑛 ∆) Solution:
Based on the given, we can use cosine law in solving this problem, having
∴ 𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝐴 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐵
no ideas with angles, it is safe to use cosine law.
= 360° − 30°
= 𝟑𝟑𝟎° We need to find the angle of B.

𝑏 = 𝑎 + 𝑐 − 2𝑎𝑐(cos 𝐵)

EXAMPLE 5 2𝑎𝑐(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐵) = 𝑎 + 𝑐 − 𝑏

𝒂𝟐 + 𝒄𝟐 − 𝒃𝟐
Town B is 80 km due North of Town A and 59 km from Town C. Town A is 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝑩 =
𝟐𝒂𝒄
31 km from Town C. What is the bearing of Town C from Town B?
Substitute:

59 + 80 − 31
cos 𝐵 = = 0.9449
2(59)(80)

We have.. 𝐵 = 19°

∴ 𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑇𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝐶 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐵 = 180° − 19° = 𝟏𝟔𝟏°

4
ACTIVITY

Solve the following problems; provide your complete solutions.

1. The angle of depression from a kookaburra’s feet to a worm on 2. Danni is flying a kite that is attached to a string of length 80
the ground is 40°. The worm is 15 meters from a point on the meters. The string makes an angle of 55° with the horizontal.
ground directly below the kookaburra’s feet. How high, to the nearest meter, is the kite above Danni’s hand?
How high above the ground are the kookaburra’s feet, correct to
the nearest meter?

5
 4. The base of a lighthouse, D, is at the top of a cliff 168 meters 5. A helicopter sets out from its base P and flies on a bearing of
above sea level. The angle of depression from D to a boat at C is 123o to point Q where it changes course to 060o and flies 18 km
28°. The boat heads towards the base of the cliff, A, and stops at to point R. When the helicopter is at point R it is 22 km from its
B. The distance AB is 126 meters. starting point.

a. What is the angle of depression from D to B? a. Find the size of angle PQR.
b. How far did the boat travel from C to B? b. Calculate the bearing on which the helicopter must fly to return
directly to its base i.e. the shaded angle in the diagram.

Prepared by: Alfeo R. Ducejo, ME