The distance from the helicopter directly to point P can be calculated using trigonometry (tangent function).
tan(32 degrees) = opposite (500 ft) / adjacent (distance from point P to the coast)
tan(32 degrees) = 500 / d
d = 500 / tan(32 degrees)
d ≈ 889 ft
Therefore, the island is approximately 889 feet off the coast.
A helicopter hovers 500 feet above a small island. The figure shows that the angle of depression from the helicopter to point P is 32 degrees . How far off the coast, to the nearest foot, is the island?
o
32
500 ft
Question content area bottom
Part 1
d =
enter your response here ft
(Round the answer to the nearest whole number.)
1 answer
2 answers