Angle of Elevation and Depression

Wednesday, 9 November 2022 11:13 am

After this session, we will learn to:

• Determine the difference between the angle of elevation and depression
• Apply angle of elevation and depression to solve for word problems
related to trigonometric functions

The term angle of elevation denotes the angle from the horizontal upward to an
object. An observer’s line of sight would be above the horizontal.

The term angle of depression denotes the angle from the horizontal downward to an
object. An observer’s line of sight would be below the horizontal.

Note that the angle of elevation and the angle of depression are congruent .

Math for Architects Page 1

Problem #1:
When the angle of elevation of the sun is 32 degrees, a flagpole casts a
shadow that is 10 feet long. In feet, how tall is the flagpole?

Problem #2:
A ladder that is 125 feet long is resting against the side of a house at an
angle of 70 degrees. In feet, how far up the side of the house does the
ladder reach?

Math for Architects Page 2

Problem #3:
A support wire is anchored 10 meters up from the base of a flagpole, and the wire makes a
25o angle with the ground. How long is the wire? Round your answer to two decimal places.

Math for Architects Page 3