Answer the following:

Question

From a campsite the angle of elevation of the top of a mountain is 5 degrees. The campsite is 12 km from the foot of the mountain. Which equation can be used to find the height, x km, of the mountain?

Choices:

tan 12⁰ = x / 5

tan 12⁰ = 5 / x

tan 5⁰ = x / 12

tan 5⁰ = 12 / x

Answer 1

tan 5⁰ = x / 12 this is answer. From here x = 12tan5° = 1.05 km

Answer 2

Draw a sketch:

You should have been taught that tangent(an angle) = (opposite side)/(adjacent side).

So tan(5°) = x/12

You'll notice that the problem is not written well since it lists the adjacent side as the distance to the foot of the mountain as if the mountain were some sort of tower. But I think it's just not worded well.