A fireman is standing 30 m directly west of a burning building. His ladder reaches 50 m up the side of the building. What is the angle of elevation (to the closest degree) of his ladder? A) 48° B) 58° C) 59° D) 60°
tan of the angle = opposite side / adjacent = 50/30 = 1 .667
the angles measure is 59 degrees
Answer: \(59^{\circ}\)
Step-by-step explanation:
Consider that ladder is making a right triangle with the burning building.
Let x be the angle of elevation of his ladder.
Then \(\Rightarrow\tan\ x=\frac{\text{height of building reached by ladder}}{\text{distance between ladder and building}}\\\\\Rightarrow\tan\ x=\frac{50}{30}=1.67\\\\\Rightarrow\ x=\tan^{-1}(1.67)\\\\\Rightarrow\ x=59.03^{\circ}\approx59^{\circ}\)
Thus, the angle of elevation of his ladder is \(59^{\circ}\)