Trig: Angles of Elevation & Depression

Front

What is an angle of elevation?

Back

An angle of elevation is the angle formed by the horizontal line and the line of sight to an object above the horizontal line.

Front

What is an angle of depression?

Back

An angle of depression is the angle formed by the horizontal line and the line of sight to an object below the horizontal line.

Front

Which trigonometric function is used when you have the opposite and adjacent sides of a right triangle?

Back

Tangent (tan) is used when you have the opposite and adjacent sides.

Front

Which trigonometric function is used when you have the adjacent side and the hypotenuse?

Back

Cosine (cos) is used when you have the adjacent side and the hypotenuse.

Front

Which trigonometric function is used when you have the opposite side and the hypotenuse?

Back

Sine (sin) is used when you have the opposite side and the hypotenuse.

Front

If a helicopter is at an altitude of 1560 ft and sights an object at an angle of depression of 18 degrees, how do you find the horizontal distance to the object?

Back

Use the tangent function: tan(18°) = opposite/adjacent, where opposite is 1560 ft.

Front

What is the formula to calculate the height of an object using angles of elevation or depression?

Back

Height = distance * tan(angle) for angles of elevation; Height = distance * tan(angle) for angles of depression.

Front

How do you determine if an angle is an angle of elevation or depression?

Back

If the angle is measured upwards from the horizontal, it is an angle of elevation; if measured downwards, it is an angle of depression.

Front

What is the relationship between angles of elevation and depression?

Back

Angles of elevation and depression are equal when measured from the same horizontal line.

Front

If you know the height of a tree and the distance from the base, how can you find the angle of elevation to the top of the tree?

Back

Use the formula: angle = arctan(height/distance).