Angles of depression and elevation
Module 8 Lesson 3
Your drawing is the key!
With angles of elevation and depression you must draw them out. You will be given word problems and your picture must be correct to get the correct answer. I use the Z to help me draw my pictures.
How can you use the picture?
Draw the Z. Each dotted line shows the other side of the triangle.
If your word problem talks about the angle of depression, you will draw this triangle.
If your word problem talks about the angle of elevation, you will draw this triangle.
Are you ready to try one?
A business owner must construct a wheelchair ramp from the pavement to the base or his entrance. The door is 4ft off the ground and his angle of elevation must be 20 degrees. How long will the wheelchair ramp be?
How to solve!
Draw your picture using the elevation triangle. Label what you have and what you are looking for.
The 'x' is the hypotenuse of the triangle. The 4ft is across from the 20 degree angle. That means you have O and H. Set up and solve your trig equation.