Trigonometry: What You Will Learn

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C H A P T E R
10
Trigonometry
What you will learn
10.1 Introducing trigonometry
10.2 Finding the side length of a right-angled triangle
10.3 Further problems involving side lengths
10.4 Finding the angle
10.5 Mixed application problems
10.6 Angles of elevation and depression
10.7 Bearings
10.8 Problems involving two triangles
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The Eureka Tower

The Eureka Tower in Melbourne is
292 metres tall. Building the tower
involved many logistic and
mathematical problems. One of the
most dangerous and challenging
problems was how to dismantle and
remove safely the giant 180-tonne
crane in the lift well on top of the
building. To do this another identical
crane was placed on the top of the
building to sit opposite the existing
one to remove the first crane piece by
piece. The second crane was then
removed using a smaller but powerful
recovery crane which is easier to
dismantle. This whole process required
careful planning and calculation of
angles and lengths of triangles to
ensure that no damage was done to
the Eureka Tower or other surrounding
buildings. Calculations involving
triangles, angles and lengths require
the use of trigonometry.
VELS
Measurement, chance and data
Students estimate and measure length
and angle.
Students use trigonometric ratios, sine,
cosine and tangent to obtain lengths of
sides, angles and the area of rightangled triangles.
Working mathematically
Students choose, use and develop
mathematical models and procedures
to investigate and solve problems set in
a wide range of practical, theoretical
and historical contexts.
Students select and use technology in
various combinations to assist in
mathematical inquiry, to manipulate
and represent data, to analyse
functions and carry out symbolic
manipulation.
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et
llshe
ki
e
i
0.045 62
0.279 97
4.234
5.678
76.895
23.899
4.6 m
34.67 m
0.678 m
32.89 m
3x 6
x
4
3
4x
12
3
b
f
j
4x 12
x
6
5
6x
3
5
8x 48
x
14
13
3x
6
4
g
k
5x 60
x
4
7
2x
8
3
h
l
x
4.7
3.2
x
7.43
2.1
x
4
0.3456
x
5.1
1.235
Solve each of the following equations to find x correct to one decimal place.
a
e
Solve each of the following equations to find x correct to two decimal places.
a
0.345 69
Solve each of the following equations to find x.

a
Round off each number to the nearest metre.

a
0.456 78
Round off each number correct to two decimal places.

a
Do now
Round off each number correct to four decimal places.

a
CH E
EA
3
5
x
3.8
6.9
x
b
f
4
7
x
17
8.4
x
c
g
32
15
x
29.34
3.24
x
14
27
x
2.456
0.345
x
d
h
Find the value of each pronumeral.

a
18
28
x
x
32
30
70
80
Answers
1 a 0.4568 b 0.3457 c 0.0456 d 0.2800 2 a 4.23 b 5.68 c 76.90 d 23.90 3 a 5 b 35 c 1 d 33
4 a 2 b 3 c 12 d 6 e 12 f 30 g 28 h 182 i 9 j 52 k 12 l 8 5 a 15.04 b 15.60 c 1.38 d 6.30 6 a 0.6 b 0.6
c 2.1 d 0.5 e 0.6 f 2.0 g 9.1 h 7.1 7 a 32 b 18 c 152 d 60 e 20 f 50
354
Essential Mathematics VELS Edition Year 9
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Introducing trigonometry
ot
de
t si
en
en
jac
us
ad
hypote
n
use
sid
adjacent side
hy
p
site
p
hy
po
ten
op
e
us
opposite side
adjacent side
Trigonometry deals with the relationship between

the sides and the angles of triangles. Trigonometry
enables us to calculate lengths and angles which
may be difficult or impossible to measure directly.
Trigonometry is used in the fields of science,
engineering, surveying, astronomy, navigation and
architecture.
When using trigonometry, it is important to
name the sides of a right-angled triangle correctly.
If the symbol is used to represent one angle,
then the other sides can be named according to
whether they are opposite or adjacent to that angle.
opposite side
For right-angled triangles, the basic trigonometric ratios are called sine, cosine and tangent
and these are derived from the unit circle (a circle with radius one unit) which will be
discussed in greater depth in Year 10 mathematics.
Key ideas
The three trigonometric ratios are defined as:
length of the opposite side
sine of angle (or sin )
length of the hypotenuse
cosine of angle (or cos )
length of the adjacent side

length of the hypotenuse
tangent of angle (or tan )
length of the opposite side

length of the adjacent
In summary:
Label each side of the triangle with O (opposite side), A (adjacent side) and
H (hypotenuse).
Decide which two sides are involved in the problem by using:
opposite
hypotenuse
cos
adjacent
hypotenuse
SOH CAH TOA
sin
tan
opposite
adjacent
Chapter 10 Trigonometry
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Example 1
Copy this triangle and label the sides as opposite to (O),
adjacent to (A) or hypotenuse (H).
Solution
Explanation
Draw the triangle and label the sides as hypotenuse (H),

opposite (O) and adjacent (A).
A
O
Example 2
Write trigonometric ratios (in fraction form) for each of the following triangles.
a
Solution
cos
Explanation
A
5

H
7
(H) 7
(O)
Side length 7 is the longest

side so it is (H). Side length
5 is adjacent to angle so
it is (A).
5 (A)
sin
O
4

H
9
9 (H)
(A)
Side length 9 is the longest

side so it is (H). Side length
4 is opposite angle so it
is (O).
4 (O)
tan
O
3

A
5
3 (O)
(A) 5
356
(H)
Side length 5 is the

adjacent side to angle so
it is (A). Side length 3 is
opposite angle so it
is (O).
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Exercise 10A
Example
Copy each of these triangles and label the sides as opposite to (O), adjacent to (A)
or hypotenuse (H).
a
For the triangle shown, state which number corresponds to:

a
b
c
d
e
Example
the hypotenuse
the side opposite angle
the side opposite angle
the side adjacent to angle
the side adjacent to angle
Write a trigonometric ratio (in fraction form) for each of the following triangles and
simplify where possible.
a
b
5
4a
2x
5a
3x
4y
2y
Copy each of these triangles and mark the angle that will enable you to write a ratio
for sin .
a
b
H
c
O
d
O
O
H
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For each of these triangles, write a ratio (in fraction form) for sin , cos and tan .
a
b
5
24
26
12
5
13
10
For the triangle shown on the right, write a ratio (in fraction form) for:
a
d
sin
tan
b
e
sin
cos
cos
tan
c
f
10
This triangle has angles 90, 60 and 30 and side lengths 1, 2 and
23.
a
b
8
a
b
c
9
Use Pythagoras theorem to find the unknown side.

Find sin , cos and tan .
b
c
9
7
24
a
b
c
d
8
12
Draw a right-angled triangle and mark one of the angles as . Then mark in the
length of the opposite side as 15 units and the length of the hypotenuse as 17 units.
Find the length of the adjacent side using Pythagoras theorem.
Determine the ratios for sin , cos and tan .
Triangle ABC has a right angle at B and angle C is . Distance AB is 4 cm and

distance AC is 5 cm.
a
c
358
Measure all the side lengths of this triangle to the nearest

millimetre.
Use your measurements from part a to find an approximate ratio
for:
40
i
cos 40
ii sin 40
iii tan 40
iv sin 50
v tan 50
vi cos 50
Do you notice anything about the trigonometric ratios for 40 and 50?
11
30
For each of the following:

i
ii
a
10
60
Write a ratio for:

i
sin 30
ii cos 30
iii tan 30
iv sin 60
v cos 60
vi tan 60
What do you notice about the following pairs of ratios?
i
cos 30 and sin 60
ii sin 30 and cos 60
Draw the triangle.

b Find distance BC.
Write the ratios for sin , cos and tan
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Enrichment
Th
12
4
Given that is acute and cos , find sin and tan . Hint: Use Pythagoras
5
theorem.
13
For each of the following draw a right-angled triangle then use it to find the
other trigonometric ratios.
1
1
i
sin
ii cos
iii tan 1
2
2
C
For triangle ABC on the right, find:
a
b
c
14
distance AC
a ratio for sin , cos and tan
a ratio for sin , cos and tan
10
Investigate the Pythagorean Identity for trigonometry and test it by:

a choosing a ratio for sin
b calculating cos using Pythagoras theorem and
c testing the identity.
Describe what an identity is and research other identities.
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Using technology to determine trigonometric ratios
6/5/06
It is difficult to determine trigonometric ratios accurately just by measuring the sides and angles
of a triangle. A scientific, graphics or CAS calculator can be used to obtain the accurate values.
Before entering angles you need to make sure that the calculator is in degree mode.
Example: Use a calculator to find the value of each of the following, correct to four decimal places.
a cos 30
b cos 54
c tan 89
Scientific calculator
a Press sin 30.
Graphics calculator
CAS calculator
Press SIN, type 30) and

press .
Press 2nd SIN, type 30) and press

.
This gives the answer 0.5 or 12 .

b Press cos 54.
Press COS, type 54) and

press .
Press 2nd COS, type 54) and

press . Use to get the
decimal approximation.
This gives the answer 0.58778 which rounds up to 0.5878.

c Press tan 89.
Press TAN, type 89) and

press .
Press 2nd TAN, type 89) and

press to get the decimal
approximation.
This gives the answer 57.28996 which rounds up to 57.2900.

Exercise
1 Use a calculator to find the value of each of the following, correct to four decimal places.
a sin 10 b tan 30 c cos 40 d tan 60 e tan 80 f cos 90
g tan 10 h sin 70 i cos 60 j sin 40
k cos 80 l cos 50
2 Use a calculator to find the value of each of the following, correct to three decimal places.
a sin 12 b tan 34 c cos 44 d tan 69 e tan 82 f cos 88
g tan 14 h sin 72 i cos 68 j sin 64
k cos 86 l cos 12
360
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Finding the side length of a

right-angled triangle
There are many situations where

we need to calculate the side length
of a right-angled triangle, for
example the height of a building or
the width of a river.
Key ideas
If the size of the angle and the length of one side of a right-angled triangle
are given, the length of any other side can be found using SOH CAH TOA.
For example, for the diagram shown:
sin 30
x
6
or cos 30
30
y
y
6
Example 3
x
Find x in the equation cos 20 , correct to two decimal places.
3
Solution
Explanation
x
3
x 3 cos 20
2.82
cos 20
Multiply both sides of the equation by 3.

Evaluate.
Example 4
For each triangle find the value of x correct to two decimal places.
a
b
x
24
x
10
38
42
361
Solution
Explanation
O
H
x
sin 38
7
x 7 sin 38
4.31
O
tan 42
A
x
tan 42
4
x 4 tan 42
3.60
A
cos 24
H
x
cos 24
10
x 10 cos 24
9.14
Since (O) and the (H) are given,

the sin ratio must be used.
sin 38
7 (H)
(O) x
38
(A)
Multiply both sides by 7.

Evaluate.
Since (O) and the (A) are given, the
tan ratio must be used.
x (O)
(H)

Evaluate.
42
Since (A) and the (H) are given,

the cos ratio must be used.
4 (A)
x (A)
24
(O)
10 (H)

Evaluate.
Exercise 10B
Example
In each of the following find the value of x correct to two decimal places.
x
x
x
b cos 43
c
tan 87
3
7
5
x
x
x
cos 34
d tan 39
e
f
sin 16
11
9
14
x
x
x
cos 8.7
sin 27.3
g
h tan 11.4
i
4
2
8
For the triangles given below, find the value of x correct to two decimal places.
a
b
c
d
4 17
1
sin 20
Example
23
x
18
43
f
42
362
12
35
20
42
32
x
25
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j
40
34
16
21
63
17
45
30
n
5.8
2.4
34
43
2.5
6.2
19
22
x
Determine the height of each of these triangles correct to two decimal places.
a
b
c
23
12.5 m
32
5.2 m
40
15 m
Andrew walks 3.2 km up a hill which is inclined at 12 to the

horizontal. How high (correct to two decimal places) is he
above his starting point?
Leonie wanted to measure the width of a river. She
placed two markers, A and B, 72 m apart along the
bank. C is a point directly opposite marker B. Leonie
measured angle CAB to be 32. Find the width of the
river correct to two decimal places.
3.2 km
12
C
width
A
32
72 m
One end of a 12.2-m rope is tied to a boat. The other end

is tied to an anchor, which is holding the boat steady in
the water. If the anchor is making an angle of 34 with
the vertical, how deep is the water correct to two decimal
places?
34
12.2 m
An escalator is 11 m long and slopes at an angle of 42

to the horizontal. How high up (correct to two decimal
places) is a shopper who is at the top of the escalator?
11 m
42
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Enrichment
Th
An isosceles triangle has a base length of 24 cm and base angles of 42.
x
42
24 cm
a
b
c
9
Find the height correct to two decimal places.

Use Pythagoras theorem to find the value
of x correct to one decimal place.
Find the perimeter and area of the large
triangle correct to the nearest cm.
In this diagram you should see three right-angled triangles.

D
2
A
a
b
c
d
364
60
B
Find the length BC correct to two decimal places.

Find the length AD correct to two decimal places.
Find length AC correct to one decimal place.
Investigate how changing the length DC changes
the answers to parts a to c above.
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Further problems involving

side lengths
When finding the hypotenuse length or other side length of a triangle, the unknown value
sometimes appears in the denominator of the equation.
Key ideas
If the unknown value of a trigonometric ratio is in the denominator you need to rearrange the
equation to make the pronumeral the subject.
5
For example, for the triangle shown: cos 30
x
x
5
which gives x
30
cos 30
5
Example 5
Find x in the equation cos 35
Solution
2
, correct to two decimal places.
x
Explanation
2
x
x cos 35 2
cos 35
Multiply both sides of the equation by x.
2
x
cos 35
2.44
Divide both sides of the equation by cos 35.

Evaluate and round off to two decimal places.
Example 6
Find the values of the pronumerals correct to two decimal places.
x
a
b
5
28
19
35
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Solution
Explanation
O
sin 35
H
5
sin 35
x
x sin 35 5
35
(A)
Since (O) and the (A) are given, use sin .

5
sin 35
8.72
O
tan 28
A
19
tan 28
x
x tan 28 19
19
x
tan 28
35.73
y 2 x2 192
1637.63
y 21637.63
y 40.47
x
x (H)
(O) 5
Divide both sides of the equation by sin 35.

x (A)
28
Since (O) and (A) are

given use tan .
19 (O)
(H) y

Divide both sides of the equation by tan 28.
Find y by using Pythagoras theorem and
substitute the exact value of x stored in your
calculator.
x (A)
28
19 (O)
(H) y
Alternatively, y can be found by using sin .
Exercise 10C
Example
For each of the following equations find the value of x correct to two decimal places.
a
d
g
Example
6a
2
x
4
sin 73
x
32
tan 49
x
cos 35
e
h
sin 27
3
x
5
x
3
cos 88
x
5.2
sin 54
x
tan 11
2
tan 67
x
4.7
cos 37
x
f
i
Find the value of x correct to two decimal places.

a
b
9
x
42
366
c
x
29
45 39
14
28
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44 x
x
28
25
47
15
26
14
6b
6
49
53
26
21
Example
44
26
Find the value of each pronumeral correct to one decimal place.

a
b
x
c
b
32
43
y
42
x
9.6
y
g
12
m
27
x 40
a
y
8.3
a 30
14.2
23
12.1
A ladder is inclined at an angle of 32 to the

horizontal. If the ladder reaches 9.2 m up a wall,
what is the length of the ladder, correct to one
decimal place?
A kite is flying at a height of 27 m. If the string is

inclined at 42 to the horizontal, find the length of the
string correct to the nearest metre.
27 m
42
A glider flying at a height of 800 m descends at an

angle of 12 to the horizontal. How far (to the
nearest metre) has it travelled in descending to the
ground?
12
tan
ce
i
dis
800 m
nd
esc
en
A 100-m mine shaft is dug at an angle of 15 to the

horizontal. How far (to the nearest metre):
a
b
below ground level is the end of the shaft?

is the end of the shaft horizontally from the
opening?
ground
15
100 m
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In the shed shown on the right, how long will one of the
sloping timber beams be if they are each inclined at an
angle of 24 to the horizontal? Give your answer correct to
two decimal places.
24
75 m
Enrichment
Th
Lena wants to find the height of a tree. From a

distance of 25 metres from the base of the tree
she measures the angle shown as 32.
a
b
c
d
10
a
b
368
32
Given that Lena is 1.64 metres tall find the

height of the tree correct to two decimal places.
What effect would it have on the calculated
height of the tree if the horizontal distance
(25 metres) was overestimated or underestimated by 50 cm?
What effect would it have on the calculated height of the tree if the angle was
overestimated or underestimated by 0.5?
What do you notice?
For the diagram shown find the value of x.
x
2
What is the value of x if the given side length is
30
i
doubled?
ii halved?
Describe any pattern you observe.
What is the value of x if the side length is left unchanged but the angle is:
i
doubled?
ii halved?
Describe any pattern you observe.
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Finding the angle
Sometimes it is useful to know the angles in a

right-angled triangle. For example, you may
need to know the angle a wire makes with a
vertical pole or the bearing a plane might be
travelling on.
Key ideas
Given two side lengths of a right-angled triangle you can find an angle
within the triangle.
If you know which trigonometric ratio is relevant you can use one of the keys below to work out
the the angle.
cos1
sin1
tan1
To find the angle if sin 0.5446:
on a scientific
calculator, press:
on a graphics
calculator, press:
on a CAS calculator,
press:
sin1 0.5446
2nd sin1 (0.5446) ENTER
sin1 (0.5446) ENTER
Example 7
Find the value of to the level of accuracy indicated.
a
sin 0.3907 (nearest degree)

Solution
sin 0.3907
sin1 0.3907
23
tan
1
(one decimal place)
2
Explanation
Use the sin1 key on your calculator.

Round off to the nearest whole number.
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Use the tan1 key on your calculator.

Dont forget to close the brackets
Round off to one decimal place.
1
2
1
tan1 a b
2
26.6
Example 8
Find the value of to the nearest degree.
10
Solution
Explanation
O
H
6

10
sin
(H) 10
6 (O)
(A)
Since (O) and the (H) are given, use sin .

6
sin1 a b
10
37
Use the sin 1 key on your calculator.

Round off to the nearest degree.
Exercise 10D
Example
7a

a
d
g
j
m
b
e
h
k
n
cos 0.5
sin 0.7071
tan 0.8397
sin 1
tan 0.1763
c
f
i
l
o
tan 1
sin 0.8660
cos 0
cos 0.3420
cos 0.4540
c
f
i
tan1 (0.8541)
cos1 (0.997)
sin1 (0.7051)
Evaluate each of the following to the nearest degree.

a
d
g
370
sin 0.5
tan 0.5774
cos 1
tan 0.8391
cos 0.9948
sin1 (0.6884)
sin1 (0.4305)
cos1 (0.1971)
b
e
h
cos1 (0.9763)
tan1 (1.126)
sin1 (0.1817)
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Example
7b
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Find the angle correct to two decimal places.

3
1
a sin
b sin
5
7
1
4
d cos
e cos
2
5
2
5
g tan
h tan
3
3
7
8
7
cos
9
sin
c
f
tan 10
The sine of angle is 0.9205. What is the value of angle to the nearest degree?
The cosine of angle is 0.6235. What is the value of angle to the nearest
degree?
a
b
Which trigonometric ratio should be used to solve for ?

a
b
8
c
7m
9m
5m
14
26
21
15
Example

a
26
c
29
19
22
d
12
43
20
32
24
11
12
A road rises at a grade of 3 in 10. Find the angle (to the

nearest degree) the road makes with the horizontal.
18
24
3
10
A ramp is 6 m long and 2 m high. Find the angle

(correct to two decimal places) the ramp makes
with the ground.
2m
6m
When a 2.8-m long seesaw is at its maximum

height it is 1.1 m off the ground. What angle
(correct to two decimal places) does the seesaw
make with the ground?
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Adam, who is 1.8 m tall, holds up a plank of wood

4.2 m long. Find the angle that the plank makes
with the ground correct one decimal place.
plank (4.2 m)
1.8 m
11
A childrens slide has a length of 5.8 m. The vertical ladder is 2.6 m above the ground.
Find the angle the slide makes with the ground correct to one decimal place.
12
The leaning tower of Pisa was 54.6 m tall when it

was built in the 12th century. Today the tower is
leaning over and it is about 440 cm out of line at
the top. Find its inclination to the vertical correct
to two decimal places.
Enrichment
Th
13
a
b
c
14
If sin x cos x and x is acute what is the value of angle x?

For each of the following equations find two different values for
if 0 180.
1
1
i
sin
ii cos
iii tan 1
2
2
Investigate angles larger than 180 which satisfy the equations in part b.
Solve each triangle, that is, find the length of all sides and the value of all angles
correct to one decimal place.
a
b
7.4
6.2
7.3
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Mixed application problems
Some problems may involve finding more than one length or angle. You may, for example,
want to know the length and height of an escalator as well as the angle it makes with the
ground.
Key ideas
To solve application problems involving trigonometry:
Draw a diagram and label the key information.
Identify and draw the appropriate right-angled triangles separately.
Solve using trigonometry to find the missing measurements.
Express your answer in words.
Example 9
A flagpole is supported by a wire running from the
top of the pole to a point on the ground 6.2 m from
the base of the pole. If the wire makes an angle of 36
with the ground, find the height of the pole correct to
one decimal place.
Solution
Explanation
Let the height of the flagpole be h metres.
Define the unknown length.

Draw a diagram.
(O) h m
(H)
36
6.2 m
(A)
O
A
h
tan 36
6.2
h 6.2 tan 36
4.5
So the height of the flagpole is 4.5 m.
tan 36
Since the opposite side (O) and the

adjacent side (A) are given, use tan .
Multiply both sides by 6.2.
Evaluate.
Express the answer in words.
373
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Example 10
A plane flying at 1500 m starts to climb at
an angle of 15 to the horizontal when the
pilot sees a mountain peak 2120 m high,
2400 m away from him in a horizontal
direction. Will the pilot clear the
mountain?
Solution
2120 m
1500 m
O
2400 m
Explanation
M
H
15
A
Draw a diagram.
1500 m
2400 m
From triangle MNP:

MN
tan 15
2400
MN 2400 tan 15
643
Since MN 620 m the plane will clear
the mountain peak.
The plane will clear the mountain if

MN (2120 1500) m
That is: MN 620 m
Since (O) and (A) are given use tan .

Multiply by 2400.
Round off to the nearest metre.
Write the answer in words.
It will be (643 620) 23 metres above the
mountain peak when it reaches it.
Exercise 10E
Example
374
A flagpole is supported by a wire running from the top of the pole to a point on the
ground 4.6 m from the base of the pole. If the wire makes an angle of 28 with the
ground, find the height of the pole correct to two decimal places.
A large advertising balloon is tied to the roof of a 20-m

high building by a 50-m rope which makes an angle of
42 with the horizontal. Find the height of the balloon
above the ground correct to two decimal places.
A ramp for wheelchairs and prams runs from street level

to the entrance of a building, which is 0.8 m above street
level. How long (correct to two decimal places) is the
ramp if it makes an angle of 10 with the horizontal?
A train travels up a slope, making an angle of 7

with the horizontal. When the train is at a height
of 3 m above its starting point, find the distance it
has travelled up the slope, to the nearest metre.
Toro the human cannon ball is catapulted into the

air at an angle of 70 to the horizontal. What
distance (to the nearest metre) will he have
travelled when he has reached a height of 30 m?
A pendulum on a grandfather clock is 70 cm long

and swings through a total angle of 12. What is
the straight-line distance (to the nearest cm)
between the extreme positions of the bob on the
end of the pendulum as it swings?
A ski lift travelling up a mountain is inclined at 15 to the horizontal. If the ski lift is
560 m long, how high (to the nearest metre) is the top of the ski lift vertically from the
foot of the mountain?
Madeline tries to swim across a 40-m-wide river. The current pushes her off course at
an angle of 26 to her direct route across the river. How far (to the nearest metre) does
she actually swim to reach the other side?
A ship out at sea observes a lighthouse on top of an 82-m cliff. If the ship is 180 m
from the base of the cliff find the value of the observation angle from horizontal to the
nearest degree.
10
A removalist van has a ramp, which is used to move furniture from ground level to
inside the van. If the floor of the van is 1.2 m off the ground and the ramp is 2.4 m in
length what angle (to the nearest degree) does the ramp make with the ground?
11
An escalator rises 3 metres for every 7 metres horizontally. Give your answer for each
of the following correct to one decimal place.
a
b
12
A road has a steady gradient of 1 in 10.

a
b
Example
10
13
What angle does the escalator make with the horizontal ground?
If the total height of the escalator is 6 m, how long is the escalator?
What angle does the road make with the horizontal? Give your answer to the
nearest degree.
A car starts from the bottom of the inclined road and drives 2 km along the road.
How high vertically is the car? Give your answer correct to the nearest metre and
use your answer from part a.
A plane flying at 1850 m starts to

climb at an angle of 18 to the
horizontal when the pilot sees a
mountain peak 2450 m high, 2600 m
away from him in a horizontal
direction. Will the pilot clear the
mountain?
2450 m
1850 m
2600 m
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A house is to be built using the design shown on

the right. The eaves are 600 mm and the house is
7200 mm wide, excluding the eaves. Calculate the
length (to the nearest mm) of a sloping edge of the
roof, which is pitched at 25 to the horizontal.
A garage is to be built with measurements as
shown in the diagram on the right. Calculate the
sloping length and pitch of the roof if the eaves
extend 500 mm on each side. Give your answers
correct to the nearest unit.
600 mm
600 mm
7200 mm
2700 mm
1820 mm
3200 mm
16
A roof has a horizontal span of 10.2 m and a pitch

of 24. Find the height of the roof, correct to the nearest millimetre.
17
A kite is 160 cm long and 75 cm wide. The

shorter edges each make an angle of 60 with the
horizontal, as shown in the diagram on the right.
Find the value of x and y correct to the nearest cm.
18
x cm
75 cm
y cm
60
160 cm
The chains on a swing are 3.2 m long and the seat is 0.5 m off the ground when it is in
the vertical position. When the swing is pulled as far back as possible, the chains make
an angle of 40 with the vertical. How high off the ground, to the nearest cm, is the
seat when it is at this extreme position?
Enrichment
Th
19
An aeroplane takes off and climbs at an angle of 20 to the horizontal, at 190 km/h
along its flight path for 15 minutes.
a
b
c
20
The residents of Skeville live 12 km from an airport. They maintain that any plane
flying lower than 4 km disturbs their peace. Each Sunday they have an outdoor
concert from 12.00 noon till 2.00 pm.
a
b
c
d
376
Find correct to two decimal places:

i
the distance the aeroplane travels ii the height the aeroplane reaches
If the angle at which the plane climbs is twice the given angle but its speed is
halved, will it reach a greater height after 15 minutes?
If the plane speed is doubled and its climbing angle is halved, will the plane
reach a greater height after 15 minutes?
Will a plane taking off from the airport at an

angle of 15 over Skeville disturb the residents?
When the plane in part a is directly above
Skeville, how far (to the nearest m) has it
flown?
If the plane leaves the airport at 11.50 am on Sunday and travels at an average
speed of 180 km/h, will it disturb the start of the concert?
Investigate what average speed the plane can travel at in order not to disturb the
concert.
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Angles of elevation and depression
Angles of elevation and depression are measured from the horizontal, for example the angle
to the top of a building from ground level or the angle from the top of a building down to
the ground.
Key ideas
The angle of elevation or depression of a point, Q, from another point, P, is given by the angle the
line PQ makes with the horizontal.
Q
horizontal
angle of depression
ht
f
eo
sig
lin
eo
lin
angle of elevation
fs
igh
horizontal
Angles of elevation or depression are always measured from the horizontal.

Q
It is important to note that the angle of elevation of Q
from P is equal to the angle of depression of P from Q,
because they are alternate angles.
P
Example 11
t
The angle of elevation of the top of a tower

from a point on the ground 30 m away from
the base of the tower is 28. Find the height
of the tower to the nearest metre.
Solution
Let the height of the tower be h m.
igh
lin
s
of
hm
28 30 m
angle of elevation
Explanation
Since (O) and (A) are given, use tan .

(H)
O
tan 28
A
h

30
h 30 tan 28
16
The height is 16 m.
h m (O)
28 30 m
(A)

Simplify to the nearest metre.
377
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Example 12
From the top of a vertical cliff Andrea spots a boat out at sea. If the top of the cliff is 42 m
above sea level and the boat is 90 m away from the base of the cliff, find Andreas angle of
depression to the nearest degree.
Solution
Explanation
Draw a diagram and label all the given

measurements.
42 m
90 m
O
A
42

90
25
tan
The angle of depression is 25.
Since (O) and (A) are given, use tan .
Use the tan1 key on your calculator and

round off to the nearest degree.
Exercise 10F
Example
11
The angle of elevation of the top of a tower from a point on the

ground 40 m away from the base of the tower is 36. Find the
height of the tower to the nearest metre.
igh
s
of
e
hm
lin
36 40 m
angle of elevation
The angle of elevation from the point on the ground to the top of
a building is 65. If the horizontal distance to the building is
84 m find the height of the building to the nearest metre.
65
84 m
378
Tran is 34 m away from a tree and the angle of elevation of the top of the tree from the
ground is 53. What is the height of the tree to the nearest metre?
The angle of elevation of the top of a castle wall from a point on the ground 25 m
away from the base of the castle wall is 32. Find the height of the castle wall to the
nearest metre.
From a point on the ground Emma measures the angle of

elevation of an 80-m tower to be 17. Find how far from
the base of the tower Emma is, to the nearest metre.
80 m
17
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Example
12
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From a pedestrian overpass Terry spots a landmark at an angle of depression of 32. How
far away (to the nearest metre) is the landmark from the base of the 24-m-high overpass?
From a lookout tower David spots a bushfire at an angle of depression of 25. If the
lookout tower is 42 m high, how far away (to the nearest metre) is the bushfire from
the base of the tower?
Angela is 1.5 m tall. How long (correct to one decimal place) is her shadow when the
angle of elevation of the Sun is 58?
From the top of a vertical cliff Bruce spots a swimmer out at sea. If the top of the cliff
is 38 m above sea level and the swimmer is 50 m away from the base of the cliff, find
Bruces angle of depression to the nearest degree.
10
From the top of a viewing platform 20 m high a wombat is spotted in the bush below
at a horizontal distance of 15 m. Find the angle of depression from the viewing
platform to the wombat to the nearest degree.
11
From a ship a person is spotted floating in the sea 200 m away. If the viewing position
on the ship is 20 m above sea level find the angle of depression from the ship to
person in the sea to the nearest degree.
12
A power line is stretched from a pole to the top of a house. The house is 4.1 m high
and the power pole is 6.2 m high. The horizontal distance between the house and the
power pole is 12 m. Find the angle of elevation of the top of the power pole from the
top of the house to the nearest degree.
Enrichment
Th
13
14
Chau observes a plane flying directly overhead at a height of 820 m. Twenty seconds
later, the angle of elevation of the plane from Chau is 32.
a
b
How far (to the nearest metre) did the plane fly in 20 seconds?
What is the planes speed in km/h correct to two decimal places?
Bertha observes a stationary hot air balloon

hovering at a height of 120 m at an angle of
elevation of 24 measured from her eye level.
Her eyes are 1.5 m above the ground.
i
How far away (to the nearest metre) is the

balloon along her line of vision?
ii How far does Bertha need to walk to be
directly underneath the balloon?
b Bertha starts walking towards the balloon. After
20 seconds she stops and looks up at the balloon.
The balloons angle of elevation is now 32.
i
How far has Bertha walked during this time?
ii How much further does Bertha need to
walk to be directly under the balloon?
Give all answers correct to the nearest unit.
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Bearings
A compass can be used to show the direction in which

someone may wish to travel or the bearing of one object
from another.
Bearings can be expressed as:
surveyors bearings
true bearings
Key ideas
Surveyors bearings are based on the compass directions north, south,
east and west. We usually start at south or north, and move east or west.
Each bearing is described as a number of degrees east or west from
north or south.
e.g. S25 W or N30 E
N
N 40 E
40
W
True bearings describe the angle in a clockwise direction from north.

They are written using three digits, for example 008, 032 or 144.
360 true N 000 true

120 T
E 090 true
270 true W
S
180 true
To describe the true bearing of an object positioned at A from an

object positioned at O, we need to start at O, face north then turn
clockwise through the required angle to face the object at A.
N
O
bearing of
A from O
N
A
bearing of
O from A
Example 13
For the following diagram write:

a
b
the surveyors bearing

the true bearing
E
42
S
Solution
Explanation
S42E
Start from south and

turn 42 towards east
48
42
380
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180 42 138

Angle is 138 T
138 T
42
180 42 = 138
Example 14
N
For the diagram shown write

a
b
the true bearing of A from O

the true bearing of O from A
Solution
a
b
120
E
A
Explanation
The bearing of A from O is 120 T.

N
O
Start at O, face north and turn clockwise

until you are facing A.
120
E
30
60
60
E
300
Start at A, face north and turn clockwise

until you are facing O.
Therefore the bearing of O from A is:

(360 60) T 300 T
Example 15
A bushwalker walks 3 km on a true bearing of 060 T from point A to
point B. Find how far (correct to one decimal place) east point B is
from point A.
Solution
N
60
W
Explanation
Let the distance travelled towards the east

be d km.
3 km
B
3 km
E
Define the distance required.

Draw a triangle.
30
d km
d
3
d 3 cos 30
2.6
The distance east is 2.6 km.
cos 30
Since the adjacent side (A) and the

hypotenuse (H) are given use cos .
Multiply both sides of the equation by 3.
Evaluate and round off to one decimal place.
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Example 16
A fishing boat starts from point O and sails
75 km on a bearing of 160 to point B.
a
b
How far east (to the nearest metre) of

its starting point is the boat?
What is the bearing of O from B?
75 km
B
Explanation
Let the distance travelled towards the

east be d km.
N
W
Solution
160
d
75
d 75 sin 20 Multiply both sides of the equation by 75.
26
Evaluate and round off to the nearest metre.
E
70
S
20
75 km
N
20
Draw a diagram and label all the given

measurements.
Since (O) and (H) are given use sin .
sin 20
160
Define the distance required.
E
340
d km
S
The boat has travelled 26 km to the east

of its starting point.
The bearing of O from B is
(360 20)T 340 T

Start at B, face north then turn clockwise
to face O.
Exercise 10G
Example
13
For each of the following diagrams write:

i
ii
a
the surveyors bearing

the true bearing
N
b
N
52
32
W
S
Example
14
For each diagram shown write:

i
a
the true bearing of A from O

N
N
A
b
ii
c
40
O
S
382
E
20
35
O
38 A
S
the true bearing of O from A.

N
d
W
O
A 30S
A 18
W
O
S
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Example
15
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A bushwalker walks 4 km on a true bearing of 55 from point A to

point B. Find how far east point B is from point A correct to two
decimal places.
B
55
4 km
E
A yacht sails 80 km on a true bearing of 048. Find how far

east of its starting point the yacht is correct to two decimal
places.
N
48
W
80 km
E
After walking due east, then turning and walking due south, a hiker is 4 km S32E
from her starting point. Find how far she walked in a southerly direction correct to one
decimal place.
N
E
32
4 km
Example
16
A four-wheel-drive vehicle travels for 32 km on a true bearing of 200. How far west
(to the nearest km) of its starting point is it?
A fishing boat starts from point O and sails 60 km on a true bearing

of 140 to point B.
a
b
How far is B west of A correct to the nearest km?

Find the bearing of A from B to the nearest degree.
E
60 km
S
B
Two towns, A and B, are 12 km apart. The true bearing of B from A

is 250.
a
b
140
How far east of its starting point is the boat, to the nearest
kilometre?
What is the bearing of O from B to the nearest degree?
250
12 km
S
A cyclist starts from O and rides 7.6 km on a bearing of N20W to point A.

a
b
How far (to the nearest metre) west has she travelled from her starting point?
What is the bearing of O from A correct to one decimal place?
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A submarine travels 720 km on a bearing of 130, then travels 40 km due east.

a
b
How far east (to the nearest km) of its starting point is the submarine?
Find how far south (to the nearest km) of its starting point is the submarine.
11
A helicopter flies on a bearing of S40E for 210 km, then flies due east for 175 km.
How far east (to the nearest km) has the helicopter travelled from its starting point?
12
Christopher walks 5 km south, then walks N36 E until he is due east of his starting
point. How far is he from his starting point to the nearest kilometre?
13
Two cyclists leave from the same starting

point. One cyclist travels due west while the
other travels on a bearing of S22W. After
travelling for 18 km, the second cyclist is due
south of the first cyclist. How far (to the
nearest metre) has the first cyclist travelled?
Enrichment
Th
14
A plane flies on a bearing of 168 for two

hours at an average speed of 310 km/h.
How far (to the nearest kilometre):
a has the plane travelled?
b to the south of its starting point has
the plane travelled?
c to the east of its starting point has
the plane travelled?
15
A pilot intends to fly directly to Anderly which is 240 km due north of his starting point.
The trip usually takes 50 minutes. Due to a storm, the pilot changes course and flies on
a true bearing of 320 for 150 km, at an average speed of 180 km/h, to Boxleigh.
a
b
c
384
Find to the nearest kilometre how far

i
north the plane has travelled from its starting point
ii west the plane has travelled from its starting point
How many kilometres is the plane off course?
From Boxleigh the pilot flies directly to Anderly at 240 km/h.
i
Compared to the usual route, how many extra kilometres has the pilot
travelled in reaching Anderly?
ii Compared to the usual trip, how many extra minutes did the trip to Anderly
take?
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Problems involving two triangles
Problems involving the solution of two triangles arise in various situations such as viewing
a tower from two different positions.
Key ideas
In some situations it may be necessary to find missing values on
two triangles to obtain the answer we are looking for.
For example, to find the value of y in triangle ABD shown on
the right,you need to:
1 find x in triangle BCD
2 find y in triangle ABD
D
y
x
A
35
36
B
Example 17
10
Find the values of the pronumerals in the diagram shown,

correct to two decimal places.
40
A
Solution
32
B
C
6
Explanation
x
6
x 6 tan 32
3.75
tan 32
x
Draw triangle BCD; find x.

Sides (O) and (A) are given so use tan .
Evaluate and round to two decimal places.
32
B
6
D
y
40
B
x
y
y sin 40 x
sin 40
Draw triangle ABD (use the exact value of x

stored in your calculator).
Sides (O) and (H) are given so use sin .
Multiply both sides by y.

x
Divide both sides by sin 40.
y
sin 40
Evaluate using the stored value of x and round
5.83
to two decimal places.
385
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Example 18
A ship (at P) is 9 km due east of a lighthouse (L). The

captain takes bearings from two landmarks, M and Q, which
are due north and due south of the lighthouse respectively.
The bearings of the M and Q from the ship are N44W and
S73W respectively. How far apart (correct to two decimal
places) are the two landmarks?
N
44
P
17
9 km
73
S
Solution
Explanation
ML
9
ML 9 tan 46
9.320 km
tan 46
46
9 km
9 km
LQ
17
9
Q
LQ 9 tan 17
2.752 km
ML LQ 9.320 2.752
12.07 km
The distance between the two landmarks
is 12.07 km.
L
tan 17
Distance between M and Q ML LQ

Draw triangle LMP.
Calculate and round to three decimal places or
store the exact answer in your calculator.
Draw triangle LPQ.
Calculate and round to three decimal places.
Calculate the distance between M and Q and
round off to two decimal places.
Answer in words.
Exercise 10H
Example
17
Find the values of the pronumerals in each diagram, correct to two decimal places.
a
28
B
y
D
22
17
D
36
16
42
y
12
Find the length of AC and of BC in each diagram, correct to two decimal places.
a
A
20
18
C
40
50
38
12 cm
14
C
27 35
386
35
A
y
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height of the flagpole

distance (BC) from the base of the flagpole to the
base of the rope on the right
An engineer made the

measurements shown
when she was designing a
bridge. Find PO and PB
correct to two decimal
places.
32
D
28
B
5m
58
O
42
Q
20
15.5
An observer is 50 m horizontally from a hot air balloon.

The angle of elevation to the top of the balloon is 60 and
to the bottom of the balloons basket is 40. Find the
height (to the nearest metre)
a
b
9:54 PM
A flagpole is secured by ropes as shown in the diagram

on the right. Find correct to one decimal place the
a
b
6/5/06
of AB and AT
of the balloon and its basket
PQ and RS are the walls of two buildings which are 100 m

apart. Regina is standing at point T, midway between the
two buildings. From her eye level the angle of elevation of
Q is 20 and the angle of elevation of S is 32. Her eyes are
1.5 m above the ground. Calculate correct to one decimal
place:
B
O
60
40
50 m
S
a
b
Example
18
the height of the wall QP

the height of the wall RS
A ship (at P) is 24 km due east of a lighthouse

(L). The captain takes bearings from two
landmarks, M and Q, which are due north and due
south of the lighthouse respectively. The bearings
of M and Q from the ship are N38W and S64W
respectively. How far apart (correct to two decimal
places) are the two landmarks?
20
1.5 m
32
R
100 m
M
N
38
L
Q
W
24 km
64
S
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25
90 m
An aeroplane starts at point O and flies due east for

90 km to point A. B is a town 60 km from O on a
true bearing of 042. Find the distance (to the
nearest km) of the:
60 km
42
E
O
C
90 km
aeroplane from B when it is at point C as

shown on the diagram
aeroplane from town B when it has reached its
destination A
Vicky cycles 22 km from O to A on a bearing of N20W, then turns and cycles 45 km

due east to B. X is the point on AB that is due north of O. Find to one decimal place:
a
b
c
AX
OX
OB
Town A and Town B are 7 km apart on a coastline that runs eastwest. A yacht, C, is at
sea on a true bearing of 055 from town A, and on a bearing of 325 from town B.
Calculate:
C
angle ACB
the distance of the yacht from town A
the distance of the yacht from town B
the distance of the yacht from the
nearest point on the coast
Give all answers correct to one decimal
place.
a
b
c
d
388
38
A shark is observed on the

seabed at an angle of
depression of 26 from a
submarine which is 32 m
34 26
above the seabed. Some
32 m
time later, the same shark
is seen from the same
position, in the same
direction, but at an angle of depression of 34. How far (to the nearest metre) has the
shark travelled since the first sighting?
12
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From the top of a 90-m cliff the angles of

depression of two boats in the water, in the
same direction, are 25 and 38 respectively.
What is the distance between the two boats
to the nearest metre?
11
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B
E
S
7 km
W
S
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Winnie is standing on the edge of the beach (at W )

directly opposite a windsurfer in the water (at S). Winnie
walks 40 m along the edge of the beach, at which point
she thinks the windsurfer is at an angle of 60 from
where she is standing.
40 m
60
30
a
b
14
How far is Winnie from the windsurfer?

Winnie walks further along the edge of the beach
until the windsurfer is now at an angle of about 30.
How much further did she walk?
A television antenna is on top of a building. From a point on the ground 30 m from the
building, the angle of elevation of the top of the antenna is 54 and of the bottom of
the antenna is 50.
a
b
Find the height of the antenna to the nearest metre.

If antennas over 8 m tall are not allowed, is this antenna too tall?
Enrichment
Th
15
A yacht race starts and finishes at point O. The yachts must pass around the outside
of the buoys at points O, A and B. Buoy A is 12 km from O at a true bearing of 042,
and buoy B is due north of O and at a true bearing of 325 from A. What is the total
length of the race correct to two decimal places?
16
Two fishing boats, the Anchor and the Barrier, leave port at the same time. The
Anchor travels on a true bearing of 120 for 75 km while the Barrier travels on a
true bearing of 170 for 60 km.
i
Find how many kilometres east each of the boats has travelled correct to two
decimal places.
ii Find how many kilometres south each of the boats has travelled correct to
two decimal places.
The Barrier is in distress and its radio is not working, so the crew decides to
release a flare which is visible from a distance of 30 km.
Will the distress signal be visible from the Anchor? Investigate what the
minimum visible flare distance is in this situation.
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Mathematically
N G
Trigonometry
Calculating heights or widths

It is not always possible or practical to measure the height of an object directly, for example
the height of a skyscraper or a tall tree. In this investigation you will use trigonometry and
an inclinometer to find such heights. You will need to work in groups of three or four as
directed by the teacher.
Constructing an inclinometer
An inclinometer is an instrument used to measure angles of elevation and depression. Use
the diagram below to help you to construct an inclinometer.
You will need:
drinking
angle to be
a drinking straw
straw
measured
a weight
90
a piece of cardboard cut into a semicircle
read off and subtract
and marked off accurately every 10

this angle from 90 to
string
give the angle to
eye
be measured
string
tape
weight
The height of a landmark

Select a landmark, such as a tall building, a tree or a bridge which you cannot measure the
height of directly. The base of the landmark must be accessible.
a
b
c
A
Com
E
ID
PL
Th
Essential Mathematics VELS Projects
390
Clearly describe the situation and draw a diagram to illustrate it.

Estimate the height of your chosen landmark.
Measure the angle of elevation and the
horizontal distance from the point where you
are standing.
Calculate the height of your chosen landmark.
line of sight
(Remember to take into account the height of
your eye level.)
Repeat parts a to d for different viewing
postions, one closer and two further away from
angle of elevation
the landmark. Present your results in a table.
horizontal distance
Find the average of the heights to obtain a
more accurate value for the height. Compare
this value with the height you estimated earlier.
Why didnt you get the same answer for the height each time? Which measurement is
the most important, the distance or angle? What happens if you are out by just a small
amount on one or both measurements? Investigate and discuss.
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Height of an inaccessible landmark

Use your inclinometer and your knowledge of trigonometry to determine the height of an
object which is inaccessiblefor example, a tree, a house or a tower with an inaccessible
base.
a i
Choose two points which are
perpendicular to each other. For each
position measure the angle of elevation,
the distance between the two points and
the angles a and b as shown on the
diagram (along the ground).
a
b
ii Draw a diagram.
distance between the two points
iii Calculate the height of the landmark,
using your collected measurements and
the three right-angled triangles in your diagram.
b Repeat your measurements and calculations from two other directions and at different
distances from the landmark.
c Discuss your results and any possible sources of error.
The width of a river

a
b
c
Essential Mathematics VELS Projects
d
e
f
g
Identify a landmark, P, on a riverbank on the side opposite where you are standing.
Mark a point, Q, directly opposite P, on the riverbank on your side of the river.
Mark another point, R, a fixed distance on the riverbank from Q on your side of the
river such thatPQR 90.
Measure distance QR with a tape measure or other measuring device.
Measure angle PRQ. Calculate the approximate width of the river.
Repeat your measurements and calculations for two different distances of QR.
Write a paragraph discussing your findings and any possible sources of error.
391
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Review
Chapter summary
Right-angled triangles
For right-angled triangles, the basic trigonometric ratios are called sine, cosine and tangent.
SOH CAH TOA
H
O
sin
H
A
cos
H
O
tan
A
Using a calculator
Before entering angles in degree mode, you need to make sure that the calculator is set for
degrees.
Finding the angle
Given two side lengths of a right-angled triangle you can find an angle within the triangle by
using the inverse trigonometric keys on your calculator.
cos1
sin1
tan1
Angles of elevation or depression

Q
horizontal
angle of depression
lin
eo
fs
angle of elevation
P
ig
fs
o
ine
ht
horizontal
igh
t
Q
Bearings
Surveyors bearings use the compass directions north, south, east and west. Start at south or
north, and turn east or west.
True bearings describe the angle in a clockwise direction from north.
360 true N 000 true
270 true W
E 090 true
S
180 true
392
To describe the bearing of an object

positioned at A from an object positioned
at O, we need to start at O, face north then
turn clockwise through the required angle
to face the object at A.
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Multiple-choice questions
c
a
c
b
C sin
a
c
Review
1 For the triangle shown

a
A sin
B sin
b
b
D sin
E sin
c
2 The value of tan 32 correct to four decimal places is

A 0.5514
B 0.6249
C 0.6248
D 0.624
E 6.24
3 In the diagram the value of x correct to two decimal places is

8
x
A 40
B 13.61
C 4.70
36
D 9.89
E 6.47
4 Which of the following could be used to find the value of x in the triangle shown?
9
A 9 cos 23
B 23cos 9
C
9
cos 23
cos 23
cos 23
D
E sin
23
9
9
x
5 The value of x correct to four decimal places is
2.7
A 0.8255
B 0.83
C 7.9
x
17
D 9.4336
E 7.9
6 The length of x in the triangle is given by
8
A 8 sin 46
B 8 cos 46
C
x
8
cos 46
cos 46
8
46
D
E
8
sin 46
7 The value of a in the diagram correct to one decimal place is
A 5.15
B 23.5
C 24.7
D 4.9
E 2.35
11
a
24
8 A ladder is inclined at an angle of 28 to the horizontal. If the ladder reaches 8.9 m up

the wall, the length of the ladder correct to the nearest metre is
ladder
A 19 m
B 4m
C 2m
8.9 m
D 33 m
E 24 m
28
9 The value of in the diagram correct to two decimal places is
C 48.19
A 0.73
B 41.81
D 33.69
E 4.181
10 To calculate the value of you need to evaluate
3
2
3
A tan 1 a b
B tan 1 a b
C sin 1 a b
2
3
2
3
2
D cos 1 a b
E sin 1 a b
2
3
12
393
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Review
Short-answer questions
1 Find the value of each of the following, correct to two decimal places.
a sin 40
b tan 66
c cos 44
2 Find the value of each pronumeral, correct to two decimal places.
a
b
c
x
14
11
42 29
54
3 A ramp runs from street level to the entrance of a building

which is 0.7 m above street level. How long is the ramp if
it makes an angle of 8 with the horizontal, to one decimal
place?
4 The angle of elevation of the top of a lighthouse from a
point on the ground 40 m away from its base is 35. Find
the height of the lighthouse to two decimal places.
0.7 m
8
35
40 m
5 A train travels up a slope, making an angle of 7 with the

horizontal. When the train is at a height of 3 m above its
starting point, find the distance it has travelled up the
slope, to the nearest metre.
3m
7
6 A yacht sails 80 km on a true bearing of 048.

a How far east of its starting point is the yacht correct to
two decimal places?
b How far north of its starting point is the yacht correct
to two decimal places?
N
48
W
80 km
E
7 From a point on the ground, Geoff measures the angle of elevation of a 120-m tower to
be 34. How far from the base of the tower is Geoff, correct to two decimal places?
8 A ship leaves Coffs Harbour and sails 320 km east. It then changes direction and sails
240 km due north to its destination. What will the ships bearing be from Coffs Harbour
when it reaches its destination, correct to two decimal places?
9 From the roof of a skyscraper, Aisha spots a car at an angle of depression of 51 from
the roof of the skyscraper. If the skyscraper is 78 m high how far away is the car from
the base of the skyscraper, correct to one decimal place?
10 Penny wants to measure the width of a river. She places two markers, A and B, 10 m
apart along one bank. C is a point directly opposite marker B. Penny measures angle
BAC to be 28. Find the width of the river to one decimal place.
11 An aeroplane takes off and climbs at an angle of 15 to the horizontal, at 210 km/h
along its flight path for 15 minutes. Find correct to two decimal places:
a the distance the aeroplane travels
b the height the aeroplane reaches
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Extended-response questions
From the top of a 100-m cliff Skevi sees a boat out at sea at an angle of depression of
12.
a Draw a diagram for this situation.
b Find how far out to sea the boat is to the nearest metre.
c A swimmer is 2 km away from the base of the cliff and in line with the boat. What is
the angle of depression to the swimmer to the nearest degree?
d How far away is the boat from the swimmer to the nearest metre?
A pilot takes off from Amber Island and
flies for 150 km at 040 true to Barter
Island where she unloads her first cargo.
She intends to fly to Dream Island but a
bad thunderstorm between Barter and
Dream Islands forces her to fly off course
for 60 km to Crater Atoll on a bearing of
060 true before turning on a bearing of
140 true and flying for 100 km until she
reaches Dream Island where she unloads
her second cargo. She then takes off and
flies 180 km on a bearing of 55 true to
Emerald Island.
a How many extra kilometres did she fly
trying to avoid the storm? Round to
the nearest km.
b From Emerald Island she flies directly
back to Amber Island. How many
kilometres did she travel on her return
trip? Round to the nearest km.
Review
MC
T E ST
D&D
395
T E ST

Trigonometry: What You Will Learn

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CUAT029-C10[352-395].

The Eureka Tower

Solve each of the following equations to find x.

Round off each number to the nearest metre.

Round off each number correct to two decimal places.

Round off each number correct to four decimal places.

Find the value of each pronumeral.

Essential Mathematics VELS Edition Year 9

Trigonometry deals with the relationship between

length of the adjacent side

tangent of angle (or tan )

length of the opposite side

SOH CAH TOA

Draw the triangle and label the sides as hypotenuse (H),

Side length 7 is the longest

Side length 9 is the longest

Essential Mathematics VELS Edition Year 9

Side length 5 is the

For the triangle shown, state which number corresponds to:

Use Pythagoras theorem to find the unknown side.

Triangle ABC has a right angle at B and angle C is . Distance AB is 4 cm and

Measure all the side lengths of this triangle to the nearest

For each of the following:

Write a ratio for:

Draw the triangle.

Essential Mathematics VELS Edition Year 9

Investigate the Pythagorean Identity for trigonometry and test it by:

Using technology to determine trigonometric ratios

a Press sin 30.

Press SIN, type 30) and

Press 2nd SIN, type 30) and press

This gives the answer 0.5 or 12 .

Press COS, type 54) and

Press 2nd COS, type 54) and

This gives the answer 0.58778 which rounds up to 0.5878.

Press TAN, type 89) and

Press 2nd TAN, type 89) and

This gives the answer 57.28996 which rounds up to 57.2900.

Essential Mathematics VELS Edition Year 9

Finding the side length of a

There are many situations where

Multiply both sides of the equation by 3.

Since (O) and the (H) are given,

Multiply both sides by 7.

Multiply both sides by 4.

Since (A) and the (H) are given,

Multiply both sides by 10.

Essential Mathematics VELS Edition Year 9

Andrew walks 3.2 km up a hill which is inclined at 12 to the

One end of a 12.2-m rope is tied to a boat. The other end

An escalator is 11 m long and slopes at an angle of 42

An isosceles triangle has a base length of 24 cm and base angles of 42.

Find the height correct to two decimal places.

In this diagram you should see three right-angled triangles.

Find the length BC correct to two decimal places.

Essential Mathematics VELS Edition Year 9

Further problems involving

Multiply both sides of the equation by x.

Divide both sides of the equation by cos 35.

Since (O) and the (A) are given, use sin .

Divide both sides of the equation by sin 35.

Since (O) and (A) are

Multiply both sides of the equation by x.

2nd sin1 (0.5446) ENTER

sin1 (0.5446) ENTER

Use the sin1 key on your calculator.

Use the tan1 key on your calculator.

Use the sin 1 key on your calculator.

Since (O) and (A) are given use tan .

Use the tan1 key on your calculator and