Question

A tree cast a 16 foot long shadow on level ground a forestry student uses a clinometer to determine the sun is that a 70° angle of elevation what is the height of the tree to the nearest whole foot

Answer 1

15foot

Explanation:

The set up will give a right angled triangle.

The length of the shadow will be the hypotenuse = 16foot

The height of the tree will be the opposite = x

The angle of elevation = 70°

Using the SOH CAH TOA trig identity

Sin theta = opposite/hypotenuse

Sin 70 = x/16

x=16sin70

x = 15.04feet

Hence the height of the tree to the nearest whole foot is 15foot