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Angle of Elevation, Depression and Directed Distance
Angle of Elevation
~ The ground is the horizontal axis
~ The angle is measured from the horizontal axis (ground) up.
~ Think of it like an elevator that only goes up.
~ It is always INSIDE the right triangle.
In the diagram, the angle of elevation of the butterfly is seen from a point on the ground.
Think of this as your eyes are moving upward from the horizon to where the butterfly (object) is located.
In other words, you are looking straight ahead and you must raise (elevate) your eyes to see the butterfly.
Example - Angle of Elevation
The diagram shows the location of the angle of elevation.
It is found by looking straight ahead (horizon) than looking up.
The triangle formed is a right.
To solve the problem use SOH CAH TOA.
Angle of Depression
~ It is always OUTSIDE the right triangle.
~ It is never inside the triangle
In the diagram above, the person in the air balloon is looking down at a money bag.
Her eyes are first looking horizontally then she lowers her eye downward (depression).
The image above combines the two angles.
The angle of elevation is inside the triangle.
The angle of depression is outside the triangle.
You should see that there are two parallel lines (the horizon) and a transversal.
If you know the angle of depression, you should be able to determine the angle of elevation, which will help you solve the right triangle trig problems.
Example - Angle of Depression
The problem and its diagram below show the location of the angle of depression.
It is found by looking straight ahead (horizon) then looking down.
The triangle formed is a right triangle.
To solve the problem, use SOH CAH TOA
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