This week we worked on understanding and solving word problems with trigonometric ratios, this involves being able to correctly label the different sides of the right angle triangle (adjacent, opposite, and hypotenuse), as well as being able to set up the correct equations to solve for either an angle or a side of the triangle.

In this example, the question asks you to determine the length of the shadow (which is the hypotenuse) based on the angle of elevation (34.1°) and the height of the Eiffel Tower (1063 ft). To solve the problem you label the triangle and then the appropriate  trigonometric ratio (in this case it is tangent). You then set up the equation so that tan (34.1)= 1063 over x, as shown above, you switch tan (34.1) with x and then simply solve for x which will give you the length of the hypotenuse/ the shadow cast by the Eiffel Tower.