8.02 Applications using right triangle trigonometry

Applications with angles of elevation and depression

In real-life contexts we use special words to describe particular angles.  

Angle of elevation

An angle of elevation is the angle created when an observer is looking at a object which is above the horizontal. The angle between the horizontal and the observer's line of sight is called angle of elevation. We may also see this referred to as the angle of inclination.

Angle of depression

An angle of depression is the angle created when an observer is looking at an object which is below the horizontal. The angle between the horizontal and the observer's line of sight is called angle of depression. 

Using the angle of elevation or depression, we can create right triangles. If we know the height above or below we can find the distance an object is from an observer, or vice-versa.  

Angles of elevation and depression are common in applications of trigonometry. Consider how we could find the height to the peak of a mountain without needing to climb it, or how we could find the height of an airplane in the sky. Trigonometry can help with a lot of these. In fact there are many examples of professions that use trigonometry: 

• Surveyors measure an angle and a length, then use right triangle trigonometry to get another length that cannot be measured directly, such as a distance across a lake.  
• Astronomers measure the lengths of shadows of mountains on the moon and knowing the sun angle can compute the heights of the mountains. They also use it when finding the distance between celestial bodies
• Architects use trigonometry  to calculate structural load, roof slopes, ground surfaces and many other aspects, including sun shading and light angles
• Ship Captains use trigonometry in navigation to find the distance of the shore from a point in the sea.
• Oceanographers use trigonometry when calculating the height of tides in oceans

 

Worked example

Question 1

Jasper and Jasmine were playing in the park and wondered how tall the tallest tree would be. Jasper tried climbing the tree, trying to use his tape measure as he climbed.  This took a few hours, and was quite tricky in places. Jasmine remembered some stuff about trigonometry from school and measured the distance from the tree and the angle of elevation. These measurements were much easier to get and didn't involve any climbing!   

Think: The distance from the base of the tree to a point of observation was $4.2$4.2 m. The angle is above the horizon so, it is an angle of elevation from this point to the top of the tree and is $38^\circ$38°.  

Do:

$\tan\theta$tanθ	$=$=	$\frac{O}{A}$OA​
$\tan38^\circ$tan38°	$=$=	$\frac{\text{height of tree }}{4.2}$height of tree 4.2​
$\text{height of tree }$height of tree	$=$=	$4.2\times\tan38^\circ$4.2×tan38°
$\text{height of tree }$height of tree	$=$=	$3.28$3.28

Reflect: So the height of this tree is $3.28$3.28 m.

 

Practice questions

Question 2

Question 3