Question

a mini toy helicopter ascends 50 feet vertically, then flies horizontally 200 feet. find the angle of elevation to the helicopter now as seen by an observer at the takeoff point. round to the nearest degree. a. 75° b. 15° c. 76° d. 14° please select the best answer from the choices provided

Explanation:

Step1: Identify right - triangle sides

The vertical ascent is the opposite side ($a = 50$) and the horizontal flight is the adjacent side ($b = 200$) of a right - triangle.

Step2: Use tangent function

The tangent of the angle of elevation $\theta$ is given by $\tan\theta=\frac{a}{b}$. Substituting $a = 50$ and $b = 200$, we get $\tan\theta=\frac{50}{200}=\frac{1}{4}=0.25$.

Step3: Find the angle

We find $\theta$ by taking the inverse tangent: $\theta=\arctan(0.25)$. Using a calculator, $\theta\approx14^{\circ}$.

Answer:

D. $14^{\circ}$