Lesson: Angles of Elevation and Depression Mathematics

In this lesson, we will learn how to solve real-world problems that involve angles of elevation and depression using the tangent ratio.

Lesson Plan

Students will be able to

recognize which angle represents an angle of depression and which angle represents an angle of elevation,
sketch a diagram from a real-world problem involving an angle of elevation or depression and use this to help solve the problem,
use right trigonometry, namely, the tangent ratio, to solve problems involving one or more angles of elevation.

Lesson Video

Lesson Explainer

Sample Question Videos

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Lesson Worksheet

Q1:

A ladder is leaning against a wall where the upper end is 4.5 m high from the ground. The angle of inclination of the ladder to the ground is . Find the length of the ladder giving the answer to two decimal places.

Q2:

In the given diagram of a ladder leaning against a wall, which of the following angles represents the ladder’s angle of elevation?

Q3:

A man who is 1.7 meters tall is standing in front of a 4.3-meter-high streetlight. When the streetlight is turned on, the man’s shadow is 2.2 meters long. Find the distance between the man and the base of the streetlight, giving the answer to two decimal places.