How high is the kite above the ground?

Question

A kite with string length of 65 feet is anchored to the top of a 4 foot fence and is flying at angle of elevation of 61 degrees. How high is the kite above the ground?

Answer 1

Hi Makailia,

 

It always helps to draw a right triangle.  In this example, the hypotenuse is 65 feet (the length of the string) and the angle between the hypotenuse and the horizontal leg of the triangle is 61 degrees.  The question asks how high is the kite, so you need to solve for the length of the opposite side and then add 4 feet for the fence.

 

Sin = opposite / hypotenuse

 

You can figure the sine of the angle on your calculator and you know the hypotenuse, so you can solve for the opposite length.

 

Have fun.

 

Dan