3d trig (1 Viewer)

naq69

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AT TWO POINTS A AND B, 400 METRES APART, ON A STRAIGHT HORIZONTAL ROAD, he summit of a hill is observed. At A it is due N with an elevation of 40 degrees; at B it is due W with an elevation of 27 degrees. Find the height of the hill to the nearest 0.1 metre.
 
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Here's how I did it:

Let base of hill = P
Let height of hill = h

Find PA in terms of h
Find PB in terms of h

Since there's a right-triangle, PA2+PB2=4002.
Substitute the values of PA and PB in terms of h.
Make h the product.
Stick it in your calcumalator.
 

twistedrebel

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there is one problem, if A and B are on horizontal line, how can the summit of the hill be due W, but do N at the same time. thats impossible or i m reading the question wrong. Source of question?
 
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there is one problem, if A and B are on horizontal line, how can the summit of the hill be due W, but do N at the same time. thats impossible or i m reading the question wrong. Source of question?
Umm... you're in flat world... in 3D world, horizontal doesn't mean constant y value, it means constant z value.
 

lyounamu

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I got h = 55.08932... = 55.09 to 2 d.p.

Draw the diagram first. I will explain roughly how mine looks like. You first have the right angle triangle with points called A, B and O (which is the foot of the hill). Then u have two right triangles that come out of BO and AB. (caution: it's 3D diagram).

then my working out goes:

tan27 = h/BO
BO = h/tan27

and tan40 = h/AO
AO = h/tan40

but BO^2 + AO^2 = 400^2 (pythagoras' theorem)
so h^2(1/tan^2(40) + 1/tan^2(27)) = 160000
h=174.2
 
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naq69

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ohexploitable got it right
but i still dont get how the sketching would look like
 

naq69

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What text is this?
not too sure
the teacher photocopied out of some text book as cambridge dont have 3d trigonometry

it says
(problems on Heights and Distances - 3 Dimensions) on top and thats all
and the exercise is
EXERCISE SET 1E
 

lyounamu

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OMG LOL. I said that it is OA^2 + OB^2 = 16000 instead of 160000 HAHA. no wonder
 

hscishard

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When do we learn 3d trig? Do you really just have to know how to draw the North south east and west 3d-ishly to just be able to do it?

Because its not in the fitzpatrick book (can't find it) or Cambridge :( (can't find it)
 

Lolsmith

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It's generally the same as normal trigonometry, you just have to interpret the question (draw a diagram) and do a bit more working out.
 

twistedrebel

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Just a heads up, 3D trig = Worst part of maths :)
there all pretty much the same
When do we learn 3d trig? Do you really just have to know how to draw the North south east and west 3d-ishly to just be able to do it?

Because its not in the fitzpatrick book (can't find it) or Cambridge :( (can't find it)
fitzpatrick: 21 (a) but the HSC ones are shitloads easier. HSC always give the diagram just do the working out
 

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