Concept explainers
Observation of a Painting A painting 1 m high and 3 m from the floor will cut off an
assuming that the observer is x meters from the wall where the painting is displayed and that the eyes of the observer are 2 m above the ground. (See the figure.) Find the value of θ for the following values of x. Round to the nearest degree.
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3
(d) Derive the formula given above. (Hint: Use the identity for tan(θ + α). Use right
(e) Graph the
(f) The concept in part (c) was first investigated in 1471 by the astronomer Regiomontanus. (Source: Maor, E., Trigonometric Delights. Princeton University Press.) If the bottom of the picture is a meters above eye level and the lop of the picture is b meters above eye level, then the optimum value of x is √ab meters. Use this result to find the exact answer to part (e).
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Trigonometry (11th Edition)
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