Mathematics

Quarter 4 – Module 5:
Word Problems Involving
Right Triangles
Mathematics – Grade 9
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 4 – Module 5: Word Problems Involving Right Triangles
First Edition,2021

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 9
Mathematics
Quarter 4 – Module 5:
Word Problems Involving Right
Triangle
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners,
can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions,
directions exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to
understand each lesson.
Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-
step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.
Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each
SLM. This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if
you need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better
understanding of the lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer
the post-test to self-check your learning. Answer keys are provided for each
activity. We trust you that you will be honest in answering this SLM.
In addition to the materials in the main text, notes to the teacher are also
provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how
they can best guide you in answering and understanding the activities.
Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part
of it. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the provided activities. Read
the instructions carefully before answering each task.
If you have any questions or encountered any difficulty in answering and
understanding the activities, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or
facilitator.
Thank you.
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written for the learners. After going
through this module, the learner is expected to:
• Uses trigonometric ratios to solve real-life problems involving right
triangle. (M9GE-IVe-1)

What I Know

Directions: Choose the correct answer for each item. Write the letter of
your answers on a separate sheet/s of paper.
1. Shane is standing at a distance of 11 m from the base of a tree. From where
she is standing she can see the top of the tree. If the tree is 15 m high, what
is the angle of elevation of the top of the tree with the ground?
A. 50.85° C. 53.75°
B. 52.66° D. 55.35°
2. A ladder 22 ft. long recline against a wall with its base 7 ft. way from the
wall. What is the measure of an angle which the ladder makes with the
ground?
A. 70.44° C. 75.40°
B. 71.45° D. 78.45°
3. From the roof of a two-storey house 9 m high, the angle of depression to
the base of a tree is 33.2°. How far is the tree from the house?
A. 10.77 m C. 13.27 m
B. 11.09 m D. 15.17 m
4. When the angle of the sun with the ground is 63°, a flagpole casts a 8 ft
shadow. What is the height of the flagpole?
A. 15.70 ft C. 18.35 ft
B. 17.55 ft D. 20.07 ft
5. Edward who is 163 cm tall cast a shadow of 235 cm long. What is the angle
of elevation of the sun?
A. 40.35° C. 35.73°
B. 38.35° D. 34.75°

1
 Lesson Word Problems Involving
1 Right Triangles
In the previous module, you have already learned about the six trigonometric
ratios and how to solve a right triangle (a) given the measure of the two parts;
the length of the hypotenuse and the length of one leg,(b) given the length of
the hypotenuse and the measure of one acute angle,(c) given the length of
one leg and the measure of one acute angle and (d) given the length of the two
legs.
In this module, you are going to use trigonometric ratios to solve real-life
problems involving right triangles.
But first, you will recall a few skills you will be needing in encountering solving
problems involving right triangles.

What’s In

Activity: Matching Type

Directions: Match Column A with the correct ratio found in Column B.
Write the letter of your answer on a separate sheet/s of paper.

F e
G

g
f

Figure 1 Figure 2

Column A Column B
𝑔
1. sin G A.
𝑒

2
 𝑓
2. tan B B.
𝑔

𝑏
3. cot E C.
𝑐
𝑔
4. sec E D.
𝑓
𝑏
5. cos A E.
𝑎

What’s New

Can the height

of a tower, a cliff can
be determined without
actually measuring its height
with a tape
measure?
Yes, Let’s apply the
trigonometric ratios
Can the width of a involving right
river be determined triangles.
without across it?

Let us study the problem:

Find the length of the shadow cast by the person who is 175 cm
tall when the angle of the sun to the horizontal is 38°.

3
 What is It

This module deals with problems involving right triangles. To solve right
triangle means to find the unknown parts by using the six trigonometric
ratios: sine, cosine, tangent, secant, cosecant and cotangent.
Solving right triangle is commonly used in cases where direct
measurement could hardly be done, such as finding the height of a cliff or any
object that is unable to be reached and unknown distances.
In the succeeding discussion, it is advisable to adopt the following
procedure in solving problems involving right triangles.
1. Read and understand the problem. Draw a figure to represent the problem.
2. Identify the triangle needed in the solution.
3. Indicate the known and unknown values (by using variables) in the figure.
4. Use the appropriate trigonometric ratios.

Example 1. Find the length of the shadow cast by the person who is 175 cm
tall when the angle of the sun to the horizontal is 38°.
Solution: Let x be the length of the shadow with 175 cm defined in figure,
then we have,

𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 Trigonometric ratio for

𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃 =
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 tangent.
175 Substitute the value of θ
𝑡𝑎𝑛 38° =
𝑥 and opposite side.
𝑥 (𝑡𝑎𝑛38°) = 175 Apply the Multiplication 175 cm
Property of Equality.
𝑥𝑡𝑎𝑛38° 175 Divide both sides by
= 38°
𝑡𝑎𝑛38° 𝑡𝑎𝑛38° tan38°.
x
175 Solve for tan 38° using
𝑥=
0.7813 your scientific calculator
and simplify.
𝒙 = 𝟐𝟐𝟑. 𝟗𝟗 𝒄𝒎 Answer.

∴ The length of the shadow is 223.99 cm.

4
Example 2. A ladder 26 ft long leans against the wall of a building with its
base 8 ft way from the wall. What is the measure of the angle which the ladder
makes with the ground?
Solution: Let 𝜃 represent the ∠ which the ladder makes with the ground then
we have,

𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 Trigonometric ratio for

cos 𝜃 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 cosine.
8 Substitute the value of
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 =
26 adjacent side and
hypotenuse.
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 = 0.3077
𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1(0.3077) Press SHIFT cos 0.3077 in
your scientific calculator 𝜽
to get the angle. 𝟖 𝒇𝒕
𝜽 = 𝟕𝟐. 𝟎𝟖° Answer.
∴ The ∠ which the ladder makes with the ground is 72.08°.

Example 3. From a window of the first building, the angle to the base of the
second building is 29° and the angle to the top is 42°. If the buildings are 205
m apart, how high is the second building?
Solution:

42° 205m
26°
y

205m
Building 1 Building 2

First: Let x be the height of the 2nd building from a window of the 1st building
with the angle to the top is 42°.
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃 = 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 Trigonometric ratio for tangent.

𝑥 Substitute the value of θ and the

tan 42° =
205 adjacent side.

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 𝑥 = 205𝑡𝑎𝑛42° Apply the Multiplication Property of
Equality.
𝑥 = 205(0.9004) Solve for tan 42°.
𝒙 = 𝟏𝟖𝟒. 𝟓𝟖 𝒎 Answer.

Second: Let y be the height of the 2nd building from a window of the 1st to the
base of the 2nd building.

𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃 = 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 Trigonometric ratio for tangent.

𝑦 Substitute the value of θ and the

tan 26° =
205 opposite side.
𝑦 = 205 𝑡𝑎𝑛 26° Apply the Multiplication Property of
Equality.
𝑦 = 205(0.4877) Solve for tan 26°.
𝒚 = 𝟗𝟗. 𝟗𝟖 𝒎 Answer.
∴ The height of the 2nd building is x + y = 284.56 m

What’s More

Directions: Solve the following problems below. Write your answer on a

separate sheet/s of paper.
1. Find the angle that the rays of the sun made with the shadow when a
cellular site tower is 115 m cast a shadow of 65 m long?
2. A ladder 6 m long leans against the wall of a house. If the foot of the ladder
makes an angle of 58° with the ground, how far is the base of the ladder
from the wall?
3. Milan is 1.3 m tall, is on the top of a Senior High School building. She
observes a tricycle on the road at an angle of 78°. If the building is 30 m
high, how far is the tricycle from the building?

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 What I Have Learned

In this module, you have learned:

1. Applying the trigonometric ratios in solving word problems.
Activity: Fill in the blank.
Directions. Write and solve a triangle using a trigonometric ratio to
approximate the distance.
Problem: Thirdy Ravena walks from one corner of a basketball court to
the opposite corner.

28 m

Solution:

1. sin 59° = ____________________ Write trigonometric ratio for sine

59°.
2. sin 59° = ____________________ Substitute.
3. ______· sin 59° = _____________ Multiply each side by _______.
4. x = _________ Divide each side by _________.
5. x ≈ __________ Use a calculator to find sin 59°.
6. x ≈ __________ Simplify.
∴ The distance of his walk is about ____________ m.

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 What I Can Do

Activity: Create and Solve!

Create and solve your own word problem involving right triangle. Refer
to the rubrics below for scoring. Use separate sheet/s of paper for your
answer.

Rubrics for Scoring: Creating and Solving Own Word Problems

3 pts 2 pts 1pt 0
Requirements Students has Students Students Students
all required created word created word could not
word problems problems. problems. create a word
involving right He/she show He/she show problem.
triangle. some little He/she
He/she clearly understanding understanding doesn’t
understands of the of the demonstrate
the problem. problem. an
mathematical understanding
concepts. of the problem
Representation Represent the Represent the Represent the There is no
and Solution figure complete figure figure figure to
and accurate. complete and complete and represent the
The solutions accurate. accurate. problem.
are complete Solution is Solution is Solution is
and correct. correct, incorrect, incorrect and
however there however, the student did
is no units student not try to solve
shown for the showed his a little
final answer. work and calculation.
made a minor
error in
calculation.

8
 Assessment

Directions: Read and analyze each question carefully and choose the letter
that corresponds to your answer. Write your answers on a separate sheet/s
of paper.
1. Eryl is flying a kite at the playground. If the string of the kite is 20 m long
and make an angle of 40° with the horizontal. How high is the kite above
the ground if Eryl is 1.6 m tall?
A. 10. 6 m C. 13. 36 m
B. 12.56 m D. 14.46 m
2. When the elevation of the sun is 59° a flagpole casts a shadow a 8 ft. What
is the height of the flagpole?
A. 13.31 ft C. 18.29 ft
B. 15.65 ft D. 20.08 ft
3. Alexander is 1.64 m tall stands 6 m away from the base of a building. The
angle with the ground where he stands to the top of the building is 70°.
Approximate the height of the building.
A. 13.81 m C. 16.49 m
B. 15.55 m D. 20.09 m
4. The Sultan Kudarat Monument cast a shadow 24 meters long when the
angle of elevation of the top of the monument is 48°. What is the height of
the monument?
A. 22.73 m C. 26.65 m
B. 25.41 m D. 30.09 m
5. If a kite is 45 ft off the ground and the string holding the kite is 48 ft long.
What is the angle of elevation to the kite?
A. 70.05° C. 65.33°
B. 69.34° D. 63.25°

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 Additional Activity

Directions: Read and understand the problem. Analyze the suggested

solutions and look for errors. Write your corrected solutions in the 2nd column
of the table.
Problem: From the top of Mt. Nagsasa, Zambales 612 m high, the trekker
observed that the angle of depression of a boat is 37°. How far is the boat
from the top of the mountain?

Suggested Solution My Solution

Problem:
Let A represent the top of the
mountain and B the boat.
A
37°
612 m

37°
C B
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
sin 37° =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝑥
sin 37° =
612
sin 37°
𝑥=
612
0.6018
𝑥=
612
𝑥 = 9.83
∴ the distance of the boat to the top
of the mountain is 9.83 m.

10
 11
What I Know What’s In
1. C 1. D
2. B 2. E
3. D 3. A
4. A 4. B
5. D 5. C
What’s More Additional Activity
1. 60.52°
2. 3.18 m 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
3. 6.38 m sin 37° =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
What I Have Learned 612
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 sin 37° =
1. 𝑥
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
28 612
2.
𝑥 𝑥=
3. x, 28, x 𝑠𝑖𝑛37°
28 612
4. , sin 59° 𝑥=
sin 59°
28 0.6018
5.
0.8572
𝑥 = 1016.95 𝑚
6. 32.66
Assessment
What I Can Do 1. D
Answers may vary. 2. A
3. C
4. C
5. B
Answer Key
References:
A. Books
Abalajon T., Acelajado M., Belecina R., Blay B., De Guzman E., Parungao A.
The New High School Mathematics (Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry, and
Statistics). ISBN: 971-48-0634-8

Bryant, M., Bulalayao L., Callanta, M., Cruz, J., De Vera R., Garcia., Javier,
S., Lazaro., Mesterio, B., & Saladino RH., DepEd (2014). Mathematics 9.
Learner’s Material. First Edition. ISBN: 978-971-9601-71-5
Cenita R., Chua S.,D.T., Degolacion R., Dela Cruz E., Gadia C., Guerra E.,
Puro L., Reyes V., Sy Tan J., Sia L., 21st Century Mathematics (A Vision for a
Better Future). ISBN: 978-971-06-3546-7

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