Question

An observer (O) is located 900 feet from a building (B). The observer notices a helicopter (H) flying at a 49° angle of elevation from his line of sight. How high isthe helicopter flying over the building? You must show all work and calculations to receive full credit

Answer 1

In order to calculate the height h of the helicopter, we can use the tangent relation of angle O.

The tangent relation is equal to the length of the opposite leg to the angle over the length of the adjacent leg to the angle.

So we have:

$\begin{gathered} \tan (O)=\frac{HB}{OB} \\ \tan (49\degree)=\frac{h}{900} \\ 1.1504=\frac{h}{900} \\ h=1.1504\cdot900 \\ h=1035.36\text{ ft} \end{gathered}$

Therefore the helicopter's height is equal to 1035.36 feet.