find the measure of the angle that is formed by the intersection of the sun's rays and the ground if a 4.2 m. flagpole casts a 2.1 m. shadow.

Question

it is a trigonometry problem that i do not know how to do

Answer 1

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b         c

 

Your goal is to find the angle at c. You know the length of segments AB and BC. Use the equation tanθ = opp / adj ⇒ θ = tan^-1(opp / adj). The side opp. to c is AB = 4.2 m and the side adj. to c is BC = 2.1m. Thus,

 

θ = tan^-1(4.2m / 2.1m) = tan^-1(2) = 63.434^o

Answer 2

 

4.2 m = 2,1 m times tan (angle )

 

tan (angle) = 2  -----> angle = tan^-1 (2) = 63.43 degrees