Geometry Companion Book, Volume 2

8.1.3 Solving Right Triangles (continued) Example 5 Problem-Solving Application

The angle associated with a given slope is derived in this application example. The grade of a hill is given as 52%. The grade of 52% means a rise of 52 units for every 100 units of horizontal distance. In a representation of the hill as a right triangle, the legs of the triangle have lengths 52 and 100. The angle to be determined is the angle made by the slope of the hill with the horizontal line. The measure of the angle is equal to the inverse tangent of 52 over 100 (opposite over adjacent). The solution, using a calculator, yields an angle of approximately 27 ° .

100

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