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The manager of a gas station has attached a cable with flags on it to a light pole in order to attract more business. The cable is attached 15 feet above the base of the light and forms a 50° angle at the ground.

 Jun 9, 2014

Best Answer 

 #2
avatar+128475 
+5

Let me guess...you want to find the cable length  ... ???

We have an angle and an opposite side  .....we are trying to find the hypoteneuse..so...the thing that relates these is the sine.......

sin(50) = 15/x     where x is the cable length ...  so

x = 15/sin(50)  = 19.58 ft.

The only other thing you might possibly want to know is how far the cable is anchored from the pole.

Use:    cos(50) = x / 19.58       .....and solve for x   ......!!!

 

 Jun 9, 2014
 #1
avatar+3453 
0

Good for him.....but...what's the question?

 Jun 9, 2014
 #2
avatar+128475 
+5
Best Answer

Let me guess...you want to find the cable length  ... ???

We have an angle and an opposite side  .....we are trying to find the hypoteneuse..so...the thing that relates these is the sine.......

sin(50) = 15/x     where x is the cable length ...  so

x = 15/sin(50)  = 19.58 ft.

The only other thing you might possibly want to know is how far the cable is anchored from the pole.

Use:    cos(50) = x / 19.58       .....and solve for x   ......!!!

 

CPhill Jun 9, 2014

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