Math

QuestionFind the height of a smokestack that casts a shadow of 15801580 ft when the Sun's angle of elevation is 3838^{\circ}.

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

Assumptions1. The length of the shadow cast by the smokestack is1580 ft. . The angle of elevation of the Sun is38 degrees.
3. The smokestack, the end of the shadow, and the point where the sun's rays hit the top of the smokestack form a right triangle.

STEP 2

We will use the tangent of the angle of elevation, which is the ratio of the opposite side (the height of the smokestack) to the adjacent side (the length of the shadow).
tan(θ)=HeightShadowlength\tan(\theta) = \frac{Height}{Shadow\, length}

STEP 3

Now, plug in the given values for the angle of elevation and the shadow length to calculate the height.
tan(38)=Height1580ft\tan(38^{\circ}) = \frac{Height}{1580\, ft}

STEP 4

Rearrange the equation to solve for the height.
Height=tan(38)×1580ftHeight = \tan(38^{\circ}) \times1580\, ft

STEP 5

Calculate the height of the smokestack.
Height=tan(38)×1580ft1200ftHeight = \tan(38^{\circ}) \times1580\, ft \approx1200\, ftThe smokestack is approximately1200 ft tall.

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