Question

In 1915, the tallest flagpole in the world was in San Francisco.
a. When the angle of elevation of the sun was 55 degrees, the length of the shadow cast by this flagpole was 210 ft. Find the height of the flagpole to the nearest foot.
b. What was the length of the shadow when the angle of elevation of the sun was 34 degrees?
c. What do you need to assume about the flagpole and the shadow to solve these problems? Explain why

Answer 1

the height h is such that

h/210 = tan 55°

you need to assume the pole is vertical and the ground is level. A leaning pole casts a shorter shadow. Sloping ground may lengthen or shorten the shadow.

Answer 2

9488 feet

Answer 3

a.) tan55=x/210
X=300ft