Geometry CP
Chapter 11 Project
Clinometers, Angles of Elevations and Trigonometry
Directions for Data Collection
You will be form a group of either three or four. You will be finding the height of five given objects
found on the data collection table and two objects of your choice. You will do this by measuring
the angle of elevation to the top of the object with your clinomoeter, the ground distance from the
clinometer to the base of the object, and the distance from the clinometer to the ground. Each
person in your group must have a job during the data collection stage. They are as follows:
Groups of 3
 Job 1:
o Hold the clinometer aimed at the top of the object
 Job 2:
o Read the clinometer while person 1 is aiming it.
o Hold one end of the of measuring tape when measuring the ground distance from
the clinometer to the base of the object, and the vertical distance from the
clinometer to the ground.
 Job 3:
o Hold one end of the of measuring tape when measuring the ground distance from
the clinometer to the base of the object, and the vertical distance from the
clinometer to the ground,
o Write all Data on the data collection table
Groups of 4
 Job 1:
o Hold the clinometer aimed at the top of the object
 Job 2:
o Hold one end of the of measuring tape when measuring the ground distance from
the clinometer to the base of the object, and the vertical distance from the
clinometer to the ground.
 Job 3:
o Hold one end of the of measuring tape when measuring the ground distance from
the clinometer to the base of the object, and the vertical distance from the
clinometer to the ground
 Job 4:
o Read the clinometer while person 1 is aiming it.
o Write all Data on the data collection table
Notes
 Angle measures are in degrees and distance measurements are in inches.
 Do not assume that because the same person is using the clinometer each time (if you
choose to do it this way) that the distance from the clinometer to the ground is the
same.
 Do not leave the school property for the two objects of your choice.
 When finished with all measuring, meet in the courtyard
Trigonometry Project – Data Collection Sheet
Object
Angle of Elevation
(in degrees)
Ground Distance
from Clinometer to
the base of object
(in inches)
Height of
Clinometer
(in inches)
Flag Pole
School Sign
Totem Pole in
Courtyard
School Building
Goal Posts on
Football Field
Choice 1
Choice 2
Geometry CP
Chapter 11 Project
Clinometers, angles of elevations
_________________________
Names_________________________
and trigonometry
_________________________
_________________________
Data Analysis
Object 1: Flag Pole
a. Draw a Diagram that includes all measurements collected. (2 pts)
b. Find the height of this object using trigonometry. Show the trig function used,
the trig equation used, and all work leading to the answer. (4 pts)
Object 2: School Sign
a. Draw a Diagram that includes all measurements collected. (2 pts)
b. Find the height of this object using trigonometry. Show the trig function used,
the trig equation used, and all work leading to the answer. (4 pts)
Object 3: Totem Pole
a. Draw a Diagram that includes all measurements collected. (2 pts)
b. Find the height of this object using trigonometry. Show the trig function used,
the trig equation used, and all work leading to the answer. (4 pts)
Object 4: School Building
a. Draw a Diagram that includes all measurements collected. (2 pts)
b. Find the height of this object using trigonometry. Show the trig function used,
the trig equation used, and all work leading to the answer. (4 pts)
Object 5: Goal Posts
a. Draw a Diagram that includes all measurements collected. (2 pts)
b. Find the height of this object using trigonometry. Show the trig function used,
the trig equation used, and all work leading to the answer. (4 pts)
Object 6: _________________________
a. Draw a Diagram that includes all measurements collected. (2 pts)
b. Find the height of this object using trigonometry. Show the trig function used,
the trig equation used, and all work leading to the answer. (4 pts)
Object 7: _________________________
a. Draw a Diagram that includes all measurements collected. (2 pts)
b. Find the height of this object using trigonometry. Show the trig function used,
the trig equation used, and all work leading to the answer. (4 pts)
Critical Thinking (4 pts each)
1. Which trigonometric function were you most inclined to use and why?
Describe in detail why it would be difficult to collect the data necessary for
the other two trigonometric functions.
2. Describe how you might find the length of a window that is very high up on
a building without getting a ladder and measuring it with a tape measure.
Draw a diagram if necessary.