Flying a Kite

Date: 5/23/96 at 19:50:29
From: Duvall
Subject: Angle of elevation of a kite

A boy flying a kite is standing 30 ft from a point directly under the 
kite.  If the string to the kite is 50 ft. long, find the angle of 
elevation of the kite.

What is the angle of elevation of the sun when a tree 6.25 m tall 
casts a shadow 10.1 m long?

Date: 5/28/96 at 15:53:41
From: Doctor Ethan
Subject: Re: Angle of elevation of a kite

Hello,

First a picture.


            &    <-Kite
           &&&
           /&|
          /  |
         /   |
    50ft/    |
       /     |
      /      |
     / Adeg. |
    You------point
        30ft


Okay Now we want the values for A deg.

Since in a right triangle the cosine of an angle is the 
ratio of the adjacent side over the hypotenuse,

cos (A) = 30/50 = 3/5

Now just use a calculator to find A.

This method should help you with your other question. Good luck.

-Doctor Ethan,  The Math Forum
 Check out our web site!  http://mathforum.org/dr.math/