Angles of Elevation and Depression

This is the last topic I taught before the final exam. This is a very simple topic that can be taught in one sitting. It involved trigonometry which the students are exposed to in lower forms. The angle of elevation of an object as seen by an observer is the angle between the horizontal and the line from the object to the observer's eye (the line of sight).

First we should make a diagram to organize our information. Look for these diagrams to involve a right triangle. In this case, the tree makes a angle 90 with the ground. A diagram of this right triangle is shown below.

In the diagram, known distances are labeled. These are the 50 and 60 foot legs of the right triangle corresponding to the height of the tree and the length of the shadow. The variable q is chosen to represent the unknown measurement, the object of the question. If the object is below the level of the observer, then the angle between the horizontal and the observer's line of sight is called the angle of depression To relate the known distances and the variable, an equation is written. In this case the equation involves the lengths of the sides which are opposite and adjacent to the angle q. Using the ratio of opposite to adjacent sides, we have

We use inverse tangent of

or

which is the angle of elevation.

Word Problems: Angles of Elevation and Depression In order to solve problems involving angles of elevation and depression, it is necessary to * use basic right triangle trigonometry * solve equations which involve one fractional term is also important to know. * find an angle given a right triangle ratio of sides. * the fact that corresponding angles formed by parallel lines have the same measure. A typical problem of angles of elevation and depression involves organizing information regarding distances and angles within a right triangle. In some cases, you will be asked to determine the measurement of an angle; in others, the problem might be to find an unknown distance. Suppose a tree 50 feet in height casts a shadow of length 60 feet. What is the angle of elevation from the end of the shadow to the top of the tree with respect to the ground?

Bearings A directional compass is shown below. It is used to find a direction or bearing . For example, the bearing of point P is 065 which is the number of degrees in the angle measured in a clockwise direction from the north line to the line joining the centre of the compass at O with the point P (i.e. OP). The bearing of point Q is 300 which is the number of degrees in the angle measured in a clockwise direction from the north line to the line joining the centre of the compass at O with the point Q (i.e. OQ). Note: The bearing of a point is the number of degrees in the angle measured in a clockwise direction from the north line to the line joining the centre of the compass with the point. A bearing is used to represent the direction of one point relative to another point. The four main directions of a compass are known as cardinal points. They are north (N), east (E), south (S) and west (W). Sometimes, the half-cardinal points of north-east (NE), northwest (NW), south-east (SE) and south-west (SW) are shown on the compass. The above compass shows degree measurements from 0 to 360 in 10 intervals with: For example, the bearing of A from B is 065. The bearing of B from A is 245.

north representing 0 or 360 east representing 90 south representing 180 west representing 270 Note: Three figures are used to give bearings. All bearings are measured in a horizontal plane.

When using a directional compass, hold the compass so that the point marked north points directly away from you. Note that the magnetic needle always points to the north. Bearing The true bearing to a point is the angle measured in degrees in a clockwise direction from the north line. We will refer to the true bearing simply as the bearing.

Example 10 State the bearing of the point P in each of the following diagrams:

Solution: a. Mark the angle in a clockwise direction by indicating the turn between the north line and the line joining the centre of the compass to the poin

d.

Mark the angle in a clockwise direction by indicating the turn between the north line and the line joining the centre of the compass to the point P.

The bearing of point P is 048. b. Mark the angle in a clockwise direction by indicating the turn between the north line and the line joining the centre of the compass to the point P.

The cardinal point W corresponds to 270. It is clear from the diagram that the required angle is 20 larger than 270. So, the angle measured in a clockwise direction from the north line to the line joining the centre of the compass to point P is 270 + 20 = 290. So, the bearing of point P is 290. Direction The conventional bearing of a point is stated as the number of degrees east or west of the north-south line. We will refer to the conventional bearing simply as the direction. To state the direction of a point, write:

N or S which is determined by the angle being measured the angle between the north or south line and the point, measured in degrees E or W which is determined by the location of the point relative to the north-south line

The cardinal point S corresponds to 180. It is clear from the diagram that the required angle is 60 larger than 180. So, the angle measured in a clockwise direction from the north line to the line joining the centre of the compass to point P is 180 + 60 = 240. So, the bearing of point P is 240. c. Mark the angle in a clockwise direction by indicating the turn between the north line and the line joining the centre of the compass to the point P. E.g. In the above diagram, the direction of:

The cardinal point S corresponds to 180. It is clear from the diagram that the required angle is 40 less than 180. So, the angle measured in a clockwise direction from the north line to the line joining the centre of the compass to point P is 180 40 = 140. So, the bearing of point P is 140.

A from O is N30E. B from O is N60W. C from O is S70E. D from O is S80W.

Note: N30E means the direction is 30 east of north.

Example 11 Describe each of the following bearings as directions. a. 076 b. 150 c. 225 d. 290 Solution: a. The position of a point P on a bearing of 076 is shown in the following diagram.

The position of the point P is 76 east of north. So, the direction is N76E. b. The position of a point P on a bearing of 150 is shown in the following diagram.

The position of the point P is 180 150 = 30 east of south. So, the direction is S30E. c. The position of a point P on a bearing of 225 is shown in the following diagram.

The position of the point P is 225 180 = 45 west of south. So, the direction is S45W. d. The position of a point P on a bearing of 290 is shown in the following diagram.

The position of the point P is 360 290 = 70 west of north. So, the direction is N70W.