Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
We are asked to find the driver's altitude increase. The increase in altitude is also the height of the triangle, which is labeled a.
Since this is a right triangle (signified by the small square representing a 90 degree angle), we can use trigonometry. The three trigonometric ratios are:
- sinθ=opposite/hypotenuse
- cosθ= adjacent/hypotenuse
- tanθ=opposite/adjacent
The angle (θ) given is 3 degrees. Side a is <u>opposite</u> this angle and the side measuring 4,960 feet is the <u>hypotenuse</u> because it is opposite the right angle. Therefore, we use sine.
We are solving for a, so we must isolate the variable. It is being divided by 4960 and the inverse of division is multiplication. Multiply both sides by 4960.
Round to the nearest whole number. The 5 in the tenth place tells us to round the 9 to a 0 in the ones place, then the 5 to a 6 in the tens place.
The driver's increase in altitude is approximately 260 feet.