Question

find the angle of elevation to the top of a 150 - ft flagpole from a point 50 feet from the base of the pole. round your answer to the nearest tenth.
a. 71.6°
b. 18.4°
c. 19.5°
d. 70.5°
please select the best answer from the choices provided
o a
o b
o c
o d

Explanation:

Step1: Identify right - triangle relationship

We have a right - triangle where the height of the flagpole is the opposite side ($a = 150$ ft) and the distance from the base of the pole is the adjacent side ($b = 50$ ft) to the angle of elevation $\theta$. We use the tangent function $\tan\theta=\frac{a}{b}$.
$\tan\theta=\frac{150}{50}$

Step2: Calculate the tangent value

$\tan\theta = 3$

Step3: Find the angle

$\theta=\arctan(3)$
Using a calculator, $\theta\approx71.6^{\circ}$

Answer:

A. $71.6^{\circ}$