To find the angle of elevation from Reed to the stingray, we can use the cosine function. The angle of elevation can be determined using the following relationship in a right triangle:
\[ \cos(\theta) = \frac{\text{adjacent}}{\text{hypotenuse}} \]
In this scenario:
- The "adjacent" side is the depth of the water, which is 22 feet.
- The "hypotenuse" is the diagonal distance from Reed to the stingray, which is 34 feet.
We can rearrange the equation to find the angle \(\theta\):
\[ \theta = \cos^{-1}\left(\frac{22}{34}\right) \]
Now, calculate \(\frac{22}{34}\):
\[ \frac{22}{34} = \frac{11}{17} \approx 0.6471 \]
Next, take the inverse cosine:
\[ \theta = \cos^{-1}(0.6471) \]
Using a calculator to find \(\theta\):
\[ \theta \approx 49.5° \]
Rounding this to the nearest degree gives approximately 50°. Therefore, the approximate angle of elevation with which Reed is looking at the fish is:
50°