In the figure below, $a = 51$ . How many degrees from the horizontal position are the wings of the airplane?
A) 129
B) 51
C) 39
D) 84
E) 309

Question

In the figure below, $a = 51$ . How many degrees from the horizontal position are the wings of the airplane? 
A) 129 
B) 51 
C) 39 
D) 84 
E) 309

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The vertical angle can be found using the formula $	an^{-1}(\frac{	ext{opposite}}{	ext{adjacent}})$, where the opposite side is the height difference between the airplane and the ground, and the adjacent side is the distance from the airplane to the observer. 
From the diagram, we can see that the opposite side is 8000 ft and the adjacent side is 12000 ft. 
Using the formula, we get $	an^{-1}(\frac{8000}{12000}) \approx 39^\circ$. 
Since the wings of the airplane are perpendicular to the vertical direction, the angle between the wings and the horizontal direction is simply $90^\circ - 39^\circ = 51^\circ$.

In the Figure Below a=51a = 51a=51 How Many Degrees from the Horizontal Position Are the Degrees

In the Figure Below $a = 51$ How Many Degrees from the Horizontal Position Are the Degrees