Trigonometry Word Problems

Question

A helicopter is hovering 800 feet above a road. A truck driver observes the helicopter at a 20 degree angle. 25 seconds later the truck driver notices the angle of the helicopter is now at 60 degrees. How far did the truck move? Round your answer to the nearest foot.

Answer 1

h= 800

20 degree angle view by a truck drive

25 seconds later angle down to 60 degrees

how far did the truck travel?

construct 2 right triangles

each with height 800

base = 800cotA

800cot60= 800(1/sqr3) =800sqr3/3= about 461.88

800cot80 = about 8.96

distance truck traveled = 461.88-8.96 = about 452.92 feet

= about 453 feet

the 25 seconds is irrelevant to the problem, it could have been 1 second or 20 years

and the answer is the same