Question:
I have a homework assignment to measure a building on my school's campus. I have to stand at least 40 ft away from the building and find the angle of elevation from my feet to the top of the building. Then I have to walk at least 40 ft form that point, record the distance as X, and find the angle of elevation from my feet to the top of the building. Using X and the angles, I have to determine the height of the building. I used a protractor and a weighted string to find the angle of elevation from my eyes to the top of the building. But I haven't been able to find the way to measure the angle of elevation from my feet to the top. I hope you understand my question and get back to me quickly with the answer. Thank you.

Hi,

Here is what I see from your description.

The height of the building is b, the angles are t₁ and t₂ , h is the distance from the ground to your eyes and y is the difference between b and h.

Knowing the angles and x you can use trigonometry to find y. Measure h and then b is h plus y.

I know that this isn't following the instructions explicitly, but like you I don't see an easy way to measure the angle at your feet.

Penny

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