Math 1060

William Larned

Determine the Height Project

Math 1060 Trigonometry Project In the 1840's surveyors calculated the height of Mt. Everest. Their calculations were within 0.1% of the height determined by modern satellite surveys. The early surveyors used trigonometry to complete their calculations. Trigonometry is still used today when direct measurements or satellite surveys are not possible or appropriate. In this project you will use trigonometry and right triangles to determine the height of 2 objects on campus with two measurements that you can make on the ground To make measurements we use an apparatus called an inclinometer to do tangent calculations. It looks like this. It uses gravity and a weight to measure angles.

When we take a measurement it is at eye level so we must add that distance to the final distance of the objects height were approximating. A diagram would look something like this.

First we would need to walk a certain distance from an object to calculate that first side of our triangle, and then we could use our inclinometer to measure the angle. My horizontal distance from the building was (11 feet). My angle =47.5 which is the angle from the origin to my terminal side of my triangle.

To solve for we use this equation, If we plug in our values and do some algebra we get.

12 ft

20.7 ft ( ) =12 feet

5.54 ft
11 ft

now we have to add the eye height.

12+5.54=17.54 feet

Doing calculations like this will give you a good conception on how to measure the height of objects just as long as you remember a few essential things on the way like your formulas and that youre measuring from eye height.

The next height I measured was one whose base was inaccessible. I picked a tree. First we have to measure our first angle which came out to be 54. Next we have to walk a certain distance from and measure that distance which was 8 feet. Finally I measured the second angle which came out to be 51. So =54, and =51. You can have a visual aspect with the diagram below.

10

12

1.

Now we will use our compilation of data to construct our new diagram and determine our new height value.

Equation 1:

Equation 2:

118.9ft

=126

8ft

5.54ft = eye height

First thing we must do is take 180- to solve for 2 in the oblique triangle. We can do this because if you look at the whole picture it makes up one big right triangle segmented off into two smaller triangles so theyre intrinsically connected. =126 Next we can find by taking the difference of 180 and
( ) ( ) ( )

=3

Now using the law of sins we can solve for side c which is also the hypotenuse for our right triangle.

( )

=b=118.9ft

Now we use right triangle ratios to solve for the height of y ( ) ( ) We use the equation Now finally adding the eye height of 5.54ft we approximate the height of the tree to be 96.1+5.54=101.6 ft

2.

Reflective Writing Did this project change the way you think about how math can be applied to the real world? Write one paragraph stating what ideas changed and why. If this project did not change the way you think, write how this project gave further evidence to support your existing opinion about applying math. Be specific. I already knew about the practicality of mathematics and the real world applications of it. This project helped solidify those opinions by using tools to measure angles and approximating real world objects with triangles; which is completely awesome. The things you learn in math can really optimize your analytical capabilities, financial endeavors and your inquires of physicality.

3.

Final Write up Now write up your Analysis of the heights project in a complete, organized, and effective manner. Emphasize presentation and justification of your conclusion. Write your presentation so that somebody that is not in this class can follow your steps, so be specific and clear. Include neatly drawn and labeled diagrams that support your work. Height #1:

To solve for we use this equation, algebra we get.

If we plug in our values and do

some

y 12 ft

20.7 ft ( ) =12 feet

5.54 ft
11 t

now we have to add the eye height.

12+5.54=17.54 feet

Height #2

Equation 1:

Equation 2:

118.9ft

=126

8ft

5.54ft = eye height

First thing we must do is take 180- to solve for 2 in the oblique triangle. We can do this because if you look at the whole picture it makes up one big right triangle segmented off into two smaller triangles so theyre intrinsically connected. =126 Next we can find by taking the difference of 180 and
( ) ( ) ( )

=3

Now using the law of sins we can solve for side c which is also the hypotenuse for our right triangle.

( )

=b=118.9ft

Now we use right triangle ratios to solve for the height of y ( ) ( ) We use the equation Now finally adding the eye height of 5.54ft we approximate the height of the tree to be 96.1+5.54=101.6 ft

Grading Rubric 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Sketch #1.. Labeled Clearly Base of Triangle Angle of Inclination Height of Structure #1. 5 5 5 5 15 5 5 5 5 5 5 15 20 100

6. Sketch #2.. 7. Labeled Clearly 8. Angle of Inclination at P and Q 9. Sketch of Oblique triangle 10. Length of side of Oblique triangle 11. Sketch of right triangle 12. Height of Structure #2.. 13. Neatness and Presentation Total=