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| Math Central | Quandaries & Queries |
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Question from Scott: If I have a hole three foot in circumference that runs at a 15degree angle from the surface and continues for a length of 100 feet, how deep would the hole be at 100 feet? |
Hi Scott,
You are looking for d in my diagram
The tangent of an angle in a right triangle is the length of the side opposite the angle divided by the length of the hypotenuse. In your situation this is
sin(15o) = d/100
and thus
d = 100 sin(15o)
Use your calculator to find 15o (make sure it is in degree mode) and then multiply by 100.
Penny
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