Question

A 2.5m string is attached to the top of a verticle tentpole. The string is pegged into the ground 1.8m away from the base of the tentpole. How tall is the tentpole and what angle does the string make with the ground?

Answer 1

a² + b² = c²

a² + 1.8² = 2.5²

a² = 2.5² -1.8²

a² = 3.01

a = √3.01 = 1.7m (nearest tenth)

Answer: The height of the tentpole is 1.7m tall.

cos (x) = 1.8/2.5

cos (x) = 0.72

x = cos⁻¹ (0.72)

x = 43.9° (nearest tenth)

Answer: The angle is 43.9°