Angle of elevation
Definition
The angle of elevation is the angle formed between the horizontal line and the line of sight when an observer looks upward at an object. It is used to determine heights and distances in trigonometric problems involving right triangles.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- The angle of elevation is always measured from the horizontal up to the line of sight.
- It is complementary to the angle of depression when dealing with two points on a vertical plane.
- In right triangle trigonometry, it can be calculated using tangent: tan(angle) = opposite/adjacent.
- Angle of elevation problems often involve determining heights or distances using trigonometric ratios like sine, cosine, or tangent.
- It is commonly used in real-life applications such as navigation, architecture, and physics.
Review Questions
- How do you calculate the angle of elevation in a right triangle?
- What relationship exists between the angle of elevation and the angle of depression?
- Give an example where calculating the angle of elevation would be useful in a real-world scenario.
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Related terms
Angle of Depression: The angle formed between the horizontal line and the line of sight when an observer looks downward at an object.
Tangent Function: A trigonometric function that relates an angle in a right-angled triangle to the ratio of the opposite side over the adjacent side.
Right Triangle: A triangle with one angle measuring exactly 90 degrees.
