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    PC Trig Applications

    Uploaded by

    Hector R.
    This document provides examples of using trigonometric functions to solve right triangles and applications involving angles of elevation and depression. It demonstrates using a calculator to evaluate trig functions, find inverse trig functions, and solve right triangles when given different combinations of side lengths and angles. An example shows checking if a ladder setup satisfies safety requirements for angle of inclination.

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    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPS, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    PC Trig Applications

    Uploaded by

    Hector R.
    179 views10 pages
    This document provides examples of using trigonometric functions to solve right triangles and applications involving angles of elevation and depression. It demonstrates using a calculator to evaluate trig functions, find inverse trig functions, and solve right triangles when given different combinations of side lengths and angles. An example shows checking if a ladder setup satisfies safety requirements for angle of inclination.

    Original Description:

    Notes by Dr. David Archer teacher of Calculus at Andress High

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    © Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)

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    This document provides examples of using trigonometric functions to solve right triangles and applications involving angles of elevation and depression. It demonstrates using a calculator to evaluate trig functions, find inverse trig functions, and solve right triangles when given different combinations of side lengths and angles. An example shows checking if a ladder setup satisfies safety requirements for angle of inclination.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPS, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pps, pdf, or txt
    179 views10 pages

    PC Trig Applications

    Uploaded by

    Hector R.
    This document provides examples of using trigonometric functions to solve right triangles and applications involving angles of elevation and depression. It demonstrates using a calculator to evaluate trig functions, find inverse trig functions, and solve right triangles when given different combinations of side lengths and angles. An example shows checking if a ladder setup satisfies safety requirements for angle of inclination.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPS, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pps, pdf, or txt
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    Trigonometric

    Applications and Models


    Trigonometric Functions on a Calculator

    Example 1: Calculate sin 40 .


    Set the calculator in degree mode.
    Calculator keystrokes: sin 40 =
    Display: 0.6427876

    Example 2: Calculate sec 40 .


    Calculator keystrokes: 1 cos 40 =
    Display: 1.3054072
    Solving Right Triangles
    Solving a right triangle means to find the lengths of the
    sides and the measures of the angles of a right triangle.
    Some information is usually given.
    a
    a
    θ θ θ
    a
    • an angle θ and a side a,
    a a
    b b
    a b
    • or two sides, a and b.
    Solving A Right Triangle Given an Angle and a Side
    Solve the right triangle.
    The third angle is 60 , the complement 5
    30○
    of 30 . Use the values of the
    trigonometric functions of 30o.
    1 op
    Since = sin 30 = = 5 , it follows that hyp = 10.
    2 phyp hyp
    To get the last side, note that 10 60○
    3 adj 5
    = cos 30 = ; 30○
    2 10
    therefore, adj = 5 3 5 3
    Example 1:
    A bridge is to be constructed across a small river from post A
    to post B. A surveyor walks 100 feet due south of post A. She
    sights on both posts from this location and finds that the angle
    between the posts is 73 . Find the distance across the river from
    post A to post B.
    Post A x Post B
    Use a calculator to find
    tan 73o = 3.27. 100 ft.
    opp x 73 ○
    3.27 = tan 73 = =
    adj 100
    It follows that x = 327.

    The distance across the river from post A to post B is 327 feet.
    Inverse Trigonometric Functions on a Calculator
    Labels for sin−1, cos−1, and tan−1 are usually written
    above the sin, cos, and tan keys.
    Inverse functions are often accessed by using a key
    that maybe be labeled SHIFT, INV, or 2nd. Check the
    manual for your calculator.

    Example:
    Find the acute angle θ for which cos θ = 0.25.
    Calculator keystrokes: (SHIFT) cos−1 0.25 =
    Display: 75.22487
    Solving a Right Triangle Given Two Sides
    Solve the right triangle shown. 5
    Solve for the hypotenuse: θ
    hyp2 = 62 + 52 = 61 6
    hyp = 61 = 7.8102496
    61 50.2○
    Solve for θ : 5
    opp 5 5
    tan θ = = and θ = tan ( ).
    -1 39.8○
    adj 6 6
    6
    Calculator Keystrokes: (SHIFT) tan−1 ( 5 6)
    Display: 39.805571
    Subtract to calculate the third angle:
    90 − 39.805571 = 50.194428 .
    Angle of Elevation and Angle of Depression
    When an observer is looking upward, the angle formed
    by a horizontal line and the line of sight is called the:

    angle of elevation. line of sight object


    observer angle of elevation
    horizontal

    When an observer is looking downward, the angle formed


    by a horizontal line and the line of sight is called the:

    observer horizontal
    angle of depression. angle of depression
    line of sight
    object
    Example 2:
    A ship at sea is sighted by an observer at the edge of a cliff
    42 m high. The angle of depression to the ship is 16 . What
    is the distance from the ship to the base of the cliff?

    observer horizontal
    cliff 16○ angle of depression
    42 m line of sight

    16○
    ship
    d
    42
    d= = 146.47.
    tan 16°
    The ship is 146 m from the base of the cliff.
    Example 3:
    A house painter plans to use a 16 foot ladder to reach a spot
    14 feet up on the side of a house. A warning sticker on the
    ladder says it cannot be used safely at more than a 60 angle
    of inclination. Does the painter’s plan satisfy the safety
    requirements for the use of the ladder?
    ladder
    14 16 house
    sin θ = = 0.875 14
    16
    θ
    Next use the inverse sine function to find θ.
    θ = sin−1(0.875) = 61.044975

    The angle formed by the ladder and the ground is about 61 .


    The painter’s plan is unsafe!

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