Question

An airplane is descending as it approaches the airport. If the angle of depression from the plane to the ground is 7 degrees and the plane is 2,000 feet above the ground, what is the distance from the plane to the airport?

Answer 1

Answer:

The distance from the plane to the airport is around 245.57 feet.

Step-by-step explanation:

Angle of depression = 7 degrees

Height  (Vertical portion of a right-angle triangle) = 2,000 feet

We are looking for the base of the right-angle triangle, which represents the distance from the plane to the airport. Therefore, we must use SOH or CAH or TOA to help us determine the length of the base. In this case, it is most convenient to use TOA:

tanΘ=$\frac{Opposite}{Adjacent}$

Rearrange the equation to solve for 'Opposite':

Opposite=(tanΘ)(Adjacent)

Opposite=(tan[7])(2,000)

Opposite=0.12278456*2,000

Opposite=245.5691218 feet

Thus, the distance from the plane to the airport is around 245.57 feet.