Question

An airplane takes off from the ground and reaches a height of 500 feet after flying 2 miles. given the formula h = d tan θ, where h is the height of the plane and d is the distance (along the ground) the plane has flown, find the angle of ascent θ at which the plane took off.

Answer 1

Height covered by the plane=h= 500 feet

Distance covered by the plane along the ground=d= 2 mile

Now, convert the mile into feet,

1 mile = 5280 feet

2 mile = 10560 feet

Now, use the formula

h= d tanθ

tanθ= h/d

tanθ= 500/10560

tanθ= 25/528

Take the tan⁻¹ on both side,

θ= tan⁻¹(25/528)

θ =2.71°