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Bob is standing on top of Buckskin Pass (near Aspen) and is looking down at Snowmass Lake. An inclinometer shows that the angle of depression to the lake is 5.1°. If the elevation of Buckskin Pass is 12,462 feet and the elevation of Snowmass Lake is 10,980, determine the length of the slope down to the lake.

Answer :

I will first sketch the problem then solve

Below is the sketch of the problem in other to give a clearer understanding

Let x be the length of the slope down to the lake

Using the trigonometric ratio

cos θ = adjacent/hypotenuse

cos 5.1 = 12 462 / x

x = 12 462 / cos 5.1

x = 12 511. 53

View image ClarabelleH780033