Question

A radar station located at ground level picks up a plane flying at a direct distance of 47,440 feet

away. If the angle of elevation from the station to the plane is 29°, what is the altitude of the plane?

Answer 1

22,999 feets

Explanation:

Given the solution diagram attached,

The altitude, h of the plane can be solved using trigonometry :

Using :

Sin θ = opposite / hypotenus

Opposite = h

Hypotenus = 47440

Sin 29 = h / 47440

h = 47440 * sin29

h = 22999.368

h = 22,999 feets