Solve the right triangle shown in the figure. Round lengths to one decimal place and express angles to the nearest
tenth of a degree.
-From a boat on the lake, the angle of elevation to the top of a cliff is 13°38'. If the base of the cliff is 2190 feet from the boat, how high is the cliff (to the nearest foot)?
A) 531 feet
B) 534 feet
C) 541 feet
D) 544 feet

Question

Solve the right triangle shown in the figure. Round lengths to one decimal place and express angles to the nearest
tenth of a degree. 
-From a boat on the lake, the angle of elevation to the top of a cliff is 13°38'. If the base of the cliff is 2190 feet from the boat, how high is the cliff (to the nearest foot)?
A) 531 feet 
B) 534 feet 
C) 541 feet 
D) 544 feet

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The tangent of the angle of elevation is equal to the height of the cliff divided by the distance from the boat to the base of the cliff. So, tan(13°38') = height/2190. Solving for height, we get height = 2190 * tan(13°38') ≈ 531 feet.

Solve the Right Triangle Shown in the Figure