Question

5. An observer located 3 km from a rocket launch site sees a rocket at an angle of elevation of 38°. How high is the rocket at that moment?

Answer 1

We solve as follows:

+First, we determine the value of the hypotenuse:

$\cos (38)=\frac{3}{h}\Rightarrow h=\frac{3}{\cos(38)}\Rightarrow h\approx3.8$

Now, we use this to find the missing side (the altitude of the rocket):

$a=\sqrt[]{(\frac{3}{\cos(38)})^2-3^2}\Rightarrow a\approx2.34$

So, the rocket had an altitude of approximately 2.34 Km.