Angle of Depression

• Angle of depression


  An acute angle formed by a horizontal line (eye level) and the line of sight of the observer when looking at an object located lower than the observer
• Finding the angle of depression

  1. Line of sight connects the eye of the observer to the object

  2. Can use trigonometric functions to solve for the angle of depression
• Angle of depression


  Congruent to alternate interior angles when parallel lines are cut by a transversal
• Solving for x using sine ratio

  1. Sine theta = opposite side / hypotenuse

  2. Substitute values and solve for x
• Solving for y using tangent ratio

  1. Tangent theta = opposite side / adjacent side

  2. Substitute values and solve for y
• Solving for a using tangent ratio


  1. Tangent theta = opposite side / adjacent side

  2. Substitute values and solve for a
• Solving for distance of partner from tower base

  1. Tangent theta = opposite side / adjacent side

  2. Substitute values and solve for distance x
• Solving for angle of depression of boat

  1. Tangent theta = opposite side / adjacent side

  2. Substitute values and solve for angle theta
• Solving for distance of nut from squirrel

  1. Cosine theta = adjacent side / hypotenuse

  2. Substitute values and solve for distance x
• Test yourself questions