Question

The angle of elevation from an observer at ground level to a vertically ascending rocket measures ${55}^o$. If the observer is located $5$ miles from the lift-off point of the rocket, what is the altitude of the rocket?

Answer 1

• Let the altitude of the rocket be $h$
• Given that observer is located $5$ miles from lift-off point of rocket and elevation is $55$ degrees
• Therefore $\tan 55=\frac{h}{5}$ , which implies $h=5\tan {55}^0$