Question

A plane flying at an altitude of 4 miles is approaching an airport that is 31 miles ahead on

the pilot's line of sight. What is the angle of depression from the plane to the airport to the

nearest TENTH of a degree?

Answer 1

`7.4^(o)`

Explanation:

Altitude of the plane = 4 miles

Distance from the plane to the airport = 31 miles

Let the angle of depression from the plane to the airport be represented by θ. Thus applying the appropriate trigonometric function, we have;

Tan θ =
`(opposite)/(adjacent)`

=
`(4)/(31)`

= 0.1290

θ =
`Tan^(-1)` 0.1290

= 7.3506

θ =
`7.4^(o)`

The angle of depression from the plane to the airport is
`7.4^(o)`.