Question

A flagpole at a right angle to the horizontal is located on a slope that makes an angle of 15° with the horizontal. The flagpole casts a 150 meter shadow down the slope when the angle of elevation of the sun is 20°

Answer 1

Answer: 2.3696

Explanation:

Draw a diagram. Label it

T = top of pole

B = bottom of pole

S = tip of shadow

In ∆SBT,

∠S = 8°

∠B = 102°

So, ∠T = 70°

Now, using the law of sines, the pole's height, BT can be found using

BT/sin8° = 16/sin70°

This assumes that the angle of elevation is measured from the horizontal, not from the slope of the ground.