Trig Word Problems
Trig Word Problems
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Thursday – 12/16/10
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A trig word problem is a problem that can be solved
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using a trig equation.
You will draw a right triangle based on the information
from the problem.
The drawing will be used to determine which trig ratio
will be used.
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Example #1
Example #1
A tree casts a shadow on the ground. If the shadow is 95
feet long and the angle of the sun is 32° how tall is the
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tree?
X
32°
95 feet
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1. Draw and label a right triangle
based on the problem.
2. Determine which trig ratio will be
used.
Based on the 32° angle:
95 is adjacent
x is opposite
Use Tan p
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A tree casts a shadow on the ground. If the shadow is 95
feet long and the angle of the sun is 32° how tall is the
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tree?
3. Plug in the information and solve
the problem.
opposite
Tan p =
adjacent
X
Tan 32° = 95
X
X
32°
95 feet
0.6249 = 95
95(0.6249) = X
59.36 ft = X
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Example #2
A 16 foot ladder leans against a building. If the bottom of
the ladder is 3 feet from the building, what angle does
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ladder
make
with
16 ft
Based on x, 3 is adjacent and 16 is
the hypotenuse. . . use Cos p.
adjacent
Cos p = hypotenuse
3
x
3ft
Cos X = 16
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Cos X = 0.1875
X = Cos-1 0.1875
X = 79.19°
Assignment #6
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1-26 Trig Word Problems Assignment
Due Tuesday, 12/21/10
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