MPM 2DA Unit 7 & 8

Similar Triangles & Trigonometry

Lesson 3 - Page 1 of 3
Sections 7.5B & 7.6

7.5/7.6 SOLVING RIGHT TRIANGLE PROBLEMS

If a problem involving the calculation of a length or an angle can be represented with a right
triangle, then it can be solved using primary trigonometric ratios! Trigonometry helps us to
indirectly measure distances and heights. For example, a surveyor can measure width of a river
or any other distance on a plane:
Solving Triangles: solving for ALL unknown sides and angles in a triangle.
Tools we have to solve a RIGHT triangle
Primary Trigonometric Ratios (SOH CAH TOA) Sine, Cosine, Tangent
Pythagorean Theorem 2 = 2 + 2
Sum of Interior Angles of a Triangle = 180o
Angle of Elevation:

Angle of Depression:

The angle between the horizontal and the

line of sight looking up.

The angle between the horizontal and the

line of sight looking down.

If you stand outside to observe a hot air

balloon, and you are looking up, the
angle that your line of sight makes with
the horizontal is known as the angle of
elevation:

If you are in the hot air balloon looking

down on a bag of money on the ground,
the angle that your line of sight makes
with the horizontal is known as the angle
of depression:

The horizontals are always parallel to each other.

Angle of elevation = Angle of
depression due to Alternate Angles.
Z Pattern

MPM 2DA Unit 7 & 8

Similar Triangles & Trigonometry

Lesson 3 - Page 2 of 3
Sections 7.5B & 7.6

Example 1:
From a point on the ground, 258 m from the base of the CN Tower, the angle of elevation to the
top of the tower is 65o. Find the height of the CN Tower, to the nearest metre.

Example 2:
Ernest is standing on top of a bridge that is 10m off the ground. Ernest is 1.7m tall. He looks
down and sees a duck in the water. The angle of depression is 40 o. How far away is the duck
from the bridge?

Example 3:
A communications tower 62 m tall has to be supported with cables running from the top of the
tower to anchors in the ground on both sides of the tower. The cables must form an angle of 50 o
with the ground. How far from the base of the tower should the anchors be placed?

MPM 2DA Unit 7 & 8

Similar Triangles & Trigonometry

Lesson 3 - Page 3 of 3
Sections 7.5B & 7.6

Example 4:
A ladder leaning against a wall at certain angles can be unstable. Some repair manuals
recommend that the angle the ladder makes with the ground should be no more than 75 0 and no
less than 60o. If the base of an 8 m ladder is placed 1.5 m from the wall, is the ladder safe?
Explain and justify your answer. Determine the minimum and maximum distances the base of
the ladder can be placed from the wall safely to meet the safety guidelines.

Example 5:
Isabel is looking out the top of a 100m building. If she looks up at 35 o she can see the top of the
next building. If she looks down at 42o, she can see the bottom of the next building.
a) How far apart are the two buildings?
b) How tall is the next building?