A plane is flying at an altitude of 32,000 feet. The distance between the plane and a radio tower on the ground is 50,000 feet. What is the angle of depression between the plane and radio tower (round to 1 decimal place)?
Answer:
The angle of depression between the plane and radio tower is \(40^{\circ}\)
Step-by-step explanation:
From the diagram attached below,
AB = Height at which the plane is flying.
AC = Distance between the plane and a radio tower.
We have to calculate the angel of depression or θ.
The triangle ABC is a right angle triangle. So,
\(\Rightarrow \sin \theta=\dfrac{p}{h}\)
\(\Rightarrow \sin \theta=\dfrac{AB}{AC}\)
\(\Rightarrow \sin \theta=\dfrac{32000}{50000}=0.64\)
\(\Rightarrow \theta=\sin^{-1}0.64=39.7\approx 40^{\circ}\)