The base of Problem: A 12-foot ladder is leaned up against a wall. the ladder is 9 feet from the base of the wall. Find the measure the ladder's angle of depression. of

Elementary Geometry For College Students, 7e
7th Edition
ISBN:9781337614085
Author:Alexander, Daniel C.; Koeberlein, Geralyn M.
Publisher:Alexander, Daniel C.; Koeberlein, Geralyn M.
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### Trigonometry Word Problem

**Problem:**
A 12-foot ladder is leaned up against a wall. The base of the ladder is 9 feet from the base of the wall. Find the measure of the ladder's angle of depression.

**Diagrams and Illustrations:**

The diagram provided features a right triangle. Important annotations in the diagram include:

- The ladder, which is indicated by the hypotenuse of the triangle, measures **12 feet**.
- The horizontal distance from the wall to the base of the ladder is marked as **9 feet**.
- The vertical distance from the ground to where the ladder touches the wall is **not labeled** in the picture but can be determined using trigonometric principles or the Pythagorean theorem.

To provide detailed guidance:

1. Identify and label the triangle's sides:
   - Hypotenuse (ladder): \( c = 12 \text{ feet} \)
   - Adjacent side (base of the ladder to the wall): \( a = 9 \text{ feet} \)
   - Opposite side (height up the wall reached by the ladder): \( b \)

2. Apply the trigonometric functions to find the angle of elevation (or depression). Use the cosine function which relates the adjacent side, hypotenuse, and the angle:
   \[
   \cos(\theta) = \frac{\text{adjacent}}{\text{hypotenuse}} = \frac{9 \text{ feet}}{12 \text{ feet}}
   \]
3. Calculate the angle \(\theta\) by finding the arccosine:
   \[
   \theta = \arccos\left(\frac{9}{12}\right)
   \]
   This simplifies to:
   \[
   \theta = \arccos\left(0.75\right)
   \]

4. Now, solve for \(\theta\):
   \[
   \theta \approx 41.41^\circ
   \]

Therefore, the angle of depression of the ladder is approximately **41.41 degrees**.
Transcribed Image Text:### Trigonometry Word Problem **Problem:** A 12-foot ladder is leaned up against a wall. The base of the ladder is 9 feet from the base of the wall. Find the measure of the ladder's angle of depression. **Diagrams and Illustrations:** The diagram provided features a right triangle. Important annotations in the diagram include: - The ladder, which is indicated by the hypotenuse of the triangle, measures **12 feet**. - The horizontal distance from the wall to the base of the ladder is marked as **9 feet**. - The vertical distance from the ground to where the ladder touches the wall is **not labeled** in the picture but can be determined using trigonometric principles or the Pythagorean theorem. To provide detailed guidance: 1. Identify and label the triangle's sides: - Hypotenuse (ladder): \( c = 12 \text{ feet} \) - Adjacent side (base of the ladder to the wall): \( a = 9 \text{ feet} \) - Opposite side (height up the wall reached by the ladder): \( b \) 2. Apply the trigonometric functions to find the angle of elevation (or depression). Use the cosine function which relates the adjacent side, hypotenuse, and the angle: \[ \cos(\theta) = \frac{\text{adjacent}}{\text{hypotenuse}} = \frac{9 \text{ feet}}{12 \text{ feet}} \] 3. Calculate the angle \(\theta\) by finding the arccosine: \[ \theta = \arccos\left(\frac{9}{12}\right) \] This simplifies to: \[ \theta = \arccos\left(0.75\right) \] 4. Now, solve for \(\theta\): \[ \theta \approx 41.41^\circ \] Therefore, the angle of depression of the ladder is approximately **41.41 degrees**.
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