CHAPTER 8 INTRODUCTION TO TRIGONOMETRY

EXERCISE 38 Page 91

1. In a triangle CDE, D = 90o, CD = 14.83 mm and CE = 28.31 mm. Determine the length of DE.

Triangle CDE is shown sketched below.

By Pythagoras’s theorem,

from which, and DE = = 24.11 mm

2. Triangle PQR is isosceles, Q being a right angle. If the hypotenuse is 38.46 cm find (a) the lengths

of sides PQ and QR, and (b) the value of QPR.

(a) Since triangle PQR in the diagram below is isosceles, PQ = QR

From Pythagoras,

from which, and PQ = = 27.20 cm

Hence, PQ = QR = 27.20 cm

(b) Since triangle PQR is isosceles, P = R and since Q = 90, then P + R = 90

Hence, QPR = 45 (=QRP)

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3. A man cycles 24 km due south and then 20 km due east. Another man, starting at the same time

and position as the first man, cycles 32 km due east and then 7 km due south. Find the distance

between the two men

With reference to the diagram below, AB = 32 – 20 = 12 km

and BC = 24 – 7 = 17 km

Hence, distance between the two men, AC = = 20.81 km by Pythagoras.

4. A ladder 3.5 m long is placed against a perpendicular wall with its foot 1.0 m from the wall. How

far up the wall (to the nearest centimetre) does the ladder reach? If the foot of the ladder is now

moved 30 cm further away from the wall, how far does the top of the ladder fall?

Distance up the wall, AB = = 3.35 m by Pythagoras.

Hence, the amount the top of the ladder has moved down the wall, given by AA = 3.35 – 3.25

= 0.10 m or 10 cm

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5. Two ships leave a port at the same time. One travels due west at 18.4 knots and the other due

south at 27.6 knots. If 1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour, calculate how far apart the two ships

are after 4 hours.

After 4 hours, the ship travelling west travels 4  18.4 = 73.6 km, and the ship travelling south

travels 4  27.6 = 110.4 km, as shown in the diagram below.

Hence, distance apart after 4 hours = = 132.7 nautical miles by Pythagoras.

6. The diagram shows a bolt rounded off at one end. Determine the dimension h.

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Part of the bolt is shown below.

From Pythagoras, i.e. and

from which, length BC = = 42.06 mm

Length BD = radius = 45 mm, hence, h = CD = BD – BC = 45 – 42.06 = 2.94 mm

7. The diagram shows a cross-section of a component that is to be made from a round bar. If the

diameter of the bar is 74 mm, calculate the dimension x.

From the above diagram,

where AB = , 0B = 37 mm (radius) and 0A = 72 – 37 = 35 mm

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Hence, and AB = = 12 mm

Hence dimension, x = 2  12 = 24 mm

EXERCISE 39 Page 93

1. In triangle ABC shown below, find sin A, cos A, tan A, sin B, cos B and tan B

By Pythagoras’ theorem, AC = =4

sin A = = cos A = = tan A =

sin B = = cos B = = tan B = =

2. If cos A = find sin A and tan A, in fraction form.

cos A =
Triangle ABC is shown sketched below where

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By Pythagoras’ theorem, BC = =8

= and tan A =
sin A =

3. For the right-angled triangle shown, find: (a) sin  (b) cos  (c) tan 

(a) sin  = = (b) cos  = =

(c) tan  = =

4. Point P lies at co-ordinate (- 3, 1) and point Q at (5, - 4). Determine (a) the distance PQ, and

(b) the gradient of the straight-line PQ, (c) the angle PQ makes with the horizontal.

(a) From the diagram below, PQ = = 9.434 by Pythagoras

(b) Gradient of PQ = = - 0.625

(c) from which, the angle PQ makes with the horizontal,  = = 32

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EXERCISE 40 Page 96

1. Evaluate correct to 4 decimal places: (a) sine 27º (b) sine 172.41º (c) sine 302º52´

Using a calculator:

(a) sine 27º = 0.4540 (b) sine 172.41º = 0.1321

(c) sine 302º52´ = - 0.8399

2. Evaluate correct to 4 decimal places: (a) cosine 124º (b) cosine 21.46º (c) cosine 284º10´

Using a calculator:

(a) cosine 124º = - 0.5592 (b) cosine 21.46º = 0.9307

(c) cosine 284º10´ = 0.2447

3. Evaluate correct to 4 decimal places: (a) tangent 145º (b) tangent 310.59º (c) tangent 49º16´

Using a calculator:

(a) tangent 145º = - 0.7002 (b) tangent 310.59º = - 1.1671

(c) tangent 49º16´ = 1.1612

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4. Evaluate correct to 4 decimal places: (a) secant 73 (b) secant 286.45º (c) secant 155º41´

Using a calculator:

(a) secant 73 = = 3.4203 (b) secant 286.45º = = 3.5313

(c) secant 155º41´ = = - 1.0974

5. Evaluate correct to 4 decimal places:

(a) cosecant 213 (b) cosecant 15.62º (c) cosecant 311º50´

Using a calculator:

(a) cosecant 213 = = - 1.8361 (b) cosecant 15.62 = = 3.7139

(c) cosecant 311º50´= = - 1.3421

6. Evaluate correct to 4 decimal places:

(a) cotangent 71 (b) cotangent 151.62º (c) cotangent 321º23´

Using a calculator:

(a) cotangent 71 = = 0.3443

(b) cotangent 151.62º = = - 1.8510

(c) cotangent 32123 = = - 1.2519

7. Evaluate correct to 4 decimal places: (a) sine (b) cos 1.681 (c) tan 3.672

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(a) Note that sine means sine radians = 0.8660

(b) cos 1.681 = - 0.1100

(c) tan 3.672 = 0.5865

8. Evaluate correct to 4 decimal places: (a) sec (b) cosec 2.961 (c) cot 2.612

(a) sec = = 1.0824

(b) cosec 2.961 = 5.5675

(c) cot 2.612 = - 1.7083

9. Determine the acute angle in degrees (correct to 2 decimal places), degrees and minutes, and in

radians (correct to 3 decimal places):

Using a calculator, = 13.54 or 1332 or = 0.236 rad

10. Determine the acute angle in degrees (correct to 2 decimal places), degrees and

minutes, and in radians (correct to 3 decimal places):

Using a calculator, = 34.20 or 3412 or = 0.597 rad

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11. Determine the acute angle in degrees (correct to 2 decimal places), degrees and

minutes, and in radians (correct to 3 decimal places):

Using a calculator, = 39.03 or 392 or = 0.681 rad

12. Determine the acute angle in degrees (correct to 2 decimal places), degrees and

minutes, and in radians (correct to 3 decimal places).

Using a calculator, =

= 51.92 or 5155 or = 0.906 rad

13. Determine the acute angle in degrees (correct to 2 decimal places), degrees and

minutes, and in radians (correct to 3 decimal places).

Using a calculator, =

= 23.69 or 2341 or = 0.413 rad

14. Determine the acute angle in degrees (correct to 2 decimal places), degrees and

minutes, and in radians (correct to 3 decimal places).

Using a calculator, =

= 27.01 or 271 or = 0.471 rad

15. In the triangle shown, determine angle , correct to 2 decimal places.

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From trigonometric ratios, tan  = from which, = = 29.05

16. In the triangle shown, determine angle  in degrees and minutes.

From trigonometric ratios, sin  = from which, = = 20.35 = 2021

17. Evaluate, correct to 4 significant figures: 4 cos 56º19´ - 3 sin 21º57´

4 cos 56º19´ - 3 sin 21º57´ = 2.2184 – 1.1214 = 1.097

18. Evaluate, correct to 4 significant figures:

= 5.805

19. Evaluate, correct to 4 significant figures:

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 = = - 5.325

20. Evaluate, correct to 4 significant figures:

= 0.7199

21. Determine the acute angle, in degrees and minutes, correct to the nearest minute, given by:

= = 21.695º = 21º42´

22. If tan x = 1.5276, determine sec x, cosec x and cot x. (Assume x is an acute angle)

If tan x = 1.5276, then x = = 56.79

sec x = sec 56.79 = = 1.8258

cosec x = cosec 56.79 = = 1.1952

cot x = cot 56.79 = = 0.6546

23. Evaluate correct to 4 decimal places: (a) sine(- 125º) (b) tan(- 241º) (c) cos(- 49º15´)

Using a calculator:

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(a) sine(- 125º) = - 0.8192 (b) tan(- 241º) = - 1 8040

(c) cos(- 49º15´) = 0.6528

24. Evaluate, correct to 5 significant figures: (a) cosec(- 143) (b) cot(- 252) (c) sec(- 6722)

Using a calculator: (a) cosec(- 143) = = - 1.6616

(b) cot(- 252) = = - 0.32492

(c) sec(- 6722) = = 2.5985

25. If a cantilever, subjected to a vertically applied downward load at its free end. The position, β,

of the maximum bending stress is given by:

Evaluate angle β, in degrees, correct to 2 decimal places, when , θ = 17.64°

and .

and when , θ = 17.64° and .

then

from which, β = - 68.37°

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EXERCISE 41 Page 98

1. Solve triangle ABC

B = 180º - 90º - 35º = 55

tan 35º = from which, BC = 5.0 tan 35º = 3.50 cm

By Pythagoras, AB = = 6.10 cm

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2. Solve triangle DEF

By Pythagoras, FE = = 5 cm

Tan E = from which, E = = 53.13 or 538

Hence, F = 180 - 90 - 53.13 = 36.87 or 3652

3. Solve triangle GHI

H = 180º - 90º - 41º = 49

sin 41º = from which, GH = 15.0 sin 41º = 9.841 mm

By Pythagoras, GI = = 11.32 mm

4. Solve triangle JKL and find its area

Sin 51 = from which, JL = = 8.62 cm

Tan 51 = from which, KL = = 5.43 cm

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J = 180 - 90 - 51 = 39

(Checking: JL = )

Area of triangle JKL = (KL)(JK) = (5.43)(6.7) = 18.19

5. Solve the triangle MNO and find its area

O = 180º - 90º - 25º35´ = 6425´

sin 25º35´ = from which, NO = 32.0 sin 25º35´ = 13.82 mm

By Pythagoras, MN = = 28.86 mm

Area = (NO)(MN) = (13.82)(28.86) = 199.4

6. Solve triangle PQR and find its area

By Pythagoras, from which, PR = = 7.934 m

Sin R = from which, R = = 24.94 or 2457

Q = 180 - 90 - 24.94 = 65.06 or 653

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Area of triangle PQR = (PQ)(PR) = (3.69)(7.934) = 14.64

7. A ladder rest against the top of the perpendicular wall of a building and makes an angle of 73
with the ground. If the foot of the ladder is 2 m from the wall, calculate the height of the building.

The ladder is shown in the diagram below, where BC is the height of the building.

Tan 73 = from which, height of building, BC = 2 tan 73 = 6.54 m

EXERCISE 42 Page 100

1. If the angle of elevation of the top of a vertical 30 m high aerial is 32º, how far is to the aerial.

In the diagram below AB is the aerial and BC is the distance to the aerial.

tan 32 = from which, distance to aerial, BC = = 48 m

2. From the top of a vertical cliff 80.0 m high the angles of depression of two buoys lying due west

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 of the cliff are 23 and 15, respectively. How far are the buoys apart?

In the diagram below, the two buoys are shown as A and B.

Tan 15 = from which, AC = = 298.56 m

Tan 23 = from which, BC = = 188.47 m

Hence, distance apart, AB = AC – BC = 298.56 – 188.47 = 110.1 m

3. From a point on horizontal ground a surveyor measures the angle of elevation of the top of a

flagpole as 1840. He moves 50 m nearer to the flagpole and measures the angle of elevation as

2622. Determine the height of the flagpole.

A side view is shown below with the flagpole being AB.

Tan 1840´ = from which, height, h = (tan 18º40´)(50 + BD)

= (0.337833)(50 + BD) = 16.89165 + 0.337833(BD)

Tan 2622´ = from which, height, h = (tan 26º22´)(BD)

= (0.495679)(BD) (1)

Equating the h values gives: 16.89165 + 0.337833(BD) = (0.495679)(BD)

from which, 16.89165 = 0.495679(BD) – 0.337833(BD)

i.e. 16.89165 = 0.157846(BD)

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and BD = = 107.01 m

Hence, from equation (1), height of flagpole = (0.495679)(BD) = 0.495679 × 107.01 = 53.0 m

4. A flagpole stands on the edge of the top of a building. At a point 200 m from the building the

angles of elevation of the top and bottom of the pole are 32 and 30 respectively. Calculate the

height of the flagpole.

In the diagram below, the flagpole is shown as AB.

Tan 32 = from which, AC = 200 tan 32 = 124.97 m

Tan 30 = from which, BC = 200 tan 30 = 115.47 m

Hence, height of flagpole, AB = AC – BC = 124.97 – 115.47 = 9.50 m

5. From a ship at sea, the angles of elevation of the top and bottom of a vertical lighthouse standing

on the edge of a vertical cliff are 31 and 26, respectively. If the lighthouse is 25.0 m high,

calculate the height of the cliff.

A side view is shown below with the lighthouse being AB.

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Tan 26 = from which, DC = = 2.0503 h

Tan 31 = from which, DC = = 1.66428(h + 25) = 1.66428 h + 41.607

Equating the DC values gives: 2.0503 h = 1.66428 h + 41.607

i.e. 2.0503 h - 1.66428 h = 41.607

i.e. 0.3860 h = 41.607

from which, height of cliff, h = = 107.8 m

6. From a window 4.2 m above horizontal ground the angle of depression of the foot of a building

across the road is 24 and the angle of elevation of the top of the building is 34. Determine,

correct to the nearest centimetre, the width of the road and the height of the building.

In the diagram below, D is the window, the width of the road is AB and the height of the building

across the road is BC.

In the triangle ABD, D = 90 - 24 = 66

Tan 66 = hence, width of road, AB = 4.2 tan 66 = 9.43 m

From triangle DEC, tan 34 = from which, CE = 9.43 tan 34 = 6.36 m

Hence, height of building, BC = CE + EB = CE + AD = 6.36 + 4.2 = 10.56 m

7. The elevation of a tower from two points, one due west of the tower and the other due west of it

are 20 and 24, respectively, and the two points of observation are 300 m apart. Find the height

of
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 the tower to the nearest metre.

In the diagram below, the height of the tower is AB and the two observation points are at C and D.

Tan 20 = from which, AB = BC tan 20

Tan 24 = from which, AB = (300 - BC) tan 24

i.e. BC tan 20 = (300 - BC) tan 24 = 300 tan 24 - BC tan 24

i.e. 0.36397 BC = 133.57 – 0.44523 BC

i.e. 0.8092 BC = 133.57

and BC = = 165.06 m

Tan 20 = from which, height of tower, AB = 165.06 tan 20 = 60 m, to the nearest metre

EXERCISE 43 Page 102

1. Use the sine rule to solve triangle ABC and find its area, given: A = 29, B = 68, b = 27 mm

Triangle ABC is shown below.

C = 180 - 68 - 29 = 83

From the sine rule, from which, a = = 14.1 mm

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Also from the sine rule, from which, c = = 28.9 mm

Area = = 189

2. Use the sine rule to solve triangle ABC and find its area, given: B = 7126', C = 5632',

b = 8.60 cm

Triangle ABC is shown below.

A = 180 - 7126 - 5632 = 522

From the sine rule, from which, c = = 7.568 cm

Also from the sine rule, from which, a = = 7.152 cm

Area = = 25.65

3. Use the sine rule to solve triangle DEF and find its area, given: d = 17 cm, f = 22 cm, F = 26

Triangle DEF is shown below.

From the sine rule, from which, sin D = = 0.33874134

and D= = 19.80 or 1948

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Hence, E = 180 - 26 - 19.80 = 134.20º or 13412

From the sine rule, from which, e = = 36.0 cm

Area = = 134

4. Use the sine rule to solve triangle DEF and find its area, given: d = 32.6 mm, e = 25.4 mm,

D = 10422'

Triangle DEF is shown below.

From the sine rule, from which, sin E = = 0.75477555

and E= = 49.0 or 490

Hence, F = 180 - 10422 - 490 = 2638

From the sine rule, from which, f = = 15.09 mm

Area = = 185.6

5. Use the sine rule to solve triangle JKL and find its area, given: j = 3.85 cm, k = 3.23 cm, K = 36

Triangle JKL is shown below.

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From the sine rule, from which, sin J = = 0.7006109

and J= = 44.476 = 4429

or J = 180 - 4429 = 13531

Case 1: When J = 4429, L = 180 - 36 - 4429 = 9931

From the sine rule, from which, l = = 5.420 cm

Area = = 6.133

Case 2: When J = 13531, L = 180 - 13531 - 36 = 829

From the sine rule, from which, l = = 0.811 cm

Area = = 0.917

6. Use the sine rule to solve triangle JKL and find its area, given: k = 46 mm, l = 36 mm, L = 35

Triangle JKL is shown below.

From the sine rule, from which, sin K = = 0.73290322

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and K= = 47.13 = 478

or K = 180 - 47.13 = 132.87 = 13252

Case 1: When K = 478, J = 180 - 35 - 478 = 9752

From the sine rule, from which, j = = 62.17

= 62.2 mm

Area = = 820.2

Case 2: When K = 13252, J = 180 - 13252 - 35 = 128

From the sine rule, from which, j = = 13.19 mm

Area = = 174.0

EXERCISE 44 Page 103

1. Use the cosine and sine rules to solve triangle PQR and find its areas, given: q = 12 cm,

r = 16 cm, P = 54

Triangle PQR is shown below.

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By the cosine rule,

= 144+ 256 – (225.7095) = 174.2905

and p= = 13.202 = 13.2 cm

From the sine rule, from which, sin R = = 0.9804781

and R= = 78.66

Q = 180 - 54 - 78.66 = 47.34

Area = = 77.7

2. Use the cosine and sine rules to solve triangle PQR and find its areas, given: q = 3.25 m,

r = 4.42 m, P = 105

Triangle PQR is shown below.

By the cosine rule,

= 19.5364 + 10.5625 – (-7.4359) = 37.5348

and p= = 6.127 m

From the sine rule, from which, sin R = = 0.696816

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and R= = 44.17

Q = 180 - 105 - 44.17 = 30.83

Area = = 6.938

3. Use the cosine and sine rules to solve triangle XYZ and find its areas, given: x = 10.0 cm,

y = 8.0 cm, z = 7.0 cm

Triangle XYZ is shown below.

By the cosine rule,

from which, cos X =

and X = = 83.33

From the sine rule, from which, sin Y =

and Y = = 52.62

Hence, Z = 180 - 83.33 - 52.62 = 44.05

Area = = 27.8

4. Use the cosine and sine rules to solve triangle XYZ and find its areas, given: x = 21 mm,

y = 34 mm, z = 42 mm

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Triangle XYZ is shown below.

By the cosine rule,

from which, cos X =

and X = = 29.77

From the sine rule, from which, sin Y =

and Y = = 53.50

Hence, Z = 180 - 29.77 - 53.50 = 96.73

Area = = 355

EXERCISE 45 Page 105

1. A ship P sails at a steady speed of 45 km/h in a direction of W 32o N (i.e. a bearing of 302o) from

a port. At the same time another ship Q leaves the port at a steady speed of 35 km/h in a direction
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 N 15o E (i.e. a bearing of 015o). Determine their distance apart after 4 hours.

After 4 hours ship P has travelled 4 × 45 = 180 km

After 4 hours ship Q has travelled 4 × 35 = 140 km

A diagram below shows the paths OA and OB taken by the two ships. Their distance apart after 4

hours is given by AB.

Using the cosine rule:

= 37264.466

and distance apart after 4 hours, AB = = 193 km

2. Two sides of a triangular plot of land are 52.0 m and 34.0 m, respectively. If the area of the plot is

620 m2 find (a) the length of fencing required to enclose the plot and (b) the angles of the

triangular plot.

The triangular plot of land ABC is shown below.

(a) Area = 620 = (52.0)(34.0)sin A from which, sin A =

and A = = 44.54

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 By the cosine rule, = 1339.677

and BC = = 36.6 m

Hence, length of fencing required = AB + BC + CA = 52.0 + 36.6 + 34.0 = 122.6 m

(b) Area = 620 = (52.0)(36.6)sin B from which, sin B =

and B = = 40.66
A = 44.54 hence, C = 180 - 44.54 - 40.66 = 94.80

3. A jib crane is shown below. If the tie rod PR is 8.0 long and PQ is 4.5 m long determine

(a) the length of jib RQ, and (b) the angle between the jib and the tie rod.

(a) Using the cosine rule on triangle PQR shown below gives:

= 130.53

and jib, RQ = = 11.43 m = 11.4 m, correct to 3 significant figures

(b) From the sine rule, from which, sin R =

and the angle between the jib and the tie rod, R = = 17.55
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4. A building site is in the form of a quadrilateral as shown in Figure 23.14, and its area is 1510 m2.

Determine the length of the perimeter of the site.

The quadrilateral is split into two triangles as shown in the diagram below.

Area = 1510 = (52.4)(28.5)sin 72 + (34.6)(x)sin 75

i.e. 1510 = 710.15 + 16.71 x

from which, x= = 47.87 m

Hence, perimeter of quadrilateral = 52.4 + 28.5 + 34.6 + 47.9 = 163.4 m

5. Determine the length of members BF and EB in the roof truss shown below.

Using the cosine rule on triangle ABF gives: = 15.18

from which, BF = = 3.9 m

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Using the sine rule on triangle ABF gives:

from which, sin B =

and ABF = = 29.41

Assuming ABE = 90, then FBE = 90 - 29.41 = 60.59

Using the sine rule on triangle BEF gives:

from which, sin E =

and E = = 58.14

Thus, EFB =180 - 58.14 - 60.59 = 61.27

Using the sine rule on triangle BEF again gives:

from which, EB = = 4.0 m

6. A laboratory 9.0 m wide has a span roof which slopes at 36o on one side and 44o on the other.

Determine the lengths of the roof slopes.

A cross-sectional view is shown below.

Angle ABC = 180 - 36 - 44 = 100

Using the sine rule, from which, AB = = 6.35 m

and from which, BC = = 5.37 m

EXERCISE 46 Page 107

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1. PQ and QR are the phasors representing the alternating currents in two branches of a circuit.

Phasor PQ is 20.0 A and is horizontal. Phasor QR (which is joined to the end of PQ to form

triangle PQR) is 14.0 A and is at an angle of 35o to the horizontal. Determine the resultant phasor

PR and the angle it makes with phasor PQ.

Phasors PQ and QR are shown in the phasor diagram below.

Using the cosine rule, = 1054.725

from which, resultant phasor, PR = = 32.48 A

Using the sine rule, from which, sin P =

and P = = 14.31

2. Three forces acting on a fixed point are represented by the sides of a triangle of dimensions

7.2 cm, 9.6 cm and 11.0 cm. Determine the angles between the lines of action of the three forces

The triangle of forces is shown below.

Using the cosine rule,

from which, cos B = = 0.16638

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and B = = 80.42

Using the sine rule, from which, sin A =

and A = = 40.20

Hence, C = 180 - 80.42 - 40.20 = 59.38

3. Calculate, correct to 3 significant figures, the co-ordinates x and y to locate the hole centre at P

shown below.

Tan (180 - 116) = i.e. y = x tan 64 (1)

Tan (180 - 140) = i.e. y = (x + 100) tan 40 (2)

Equating (1) and (2) gives: x tan 64 = (x + 100) tan 40

i.e. x tan 64 - x tan 40 = 100 tan 40

and x(tan 64 - tan 40) = 100 tan 40

from which, x= = 69.278 mm = 69.3 mm, correct to 3 significant figures.

Substituting in (1) gives: y = x tan 64 = 66.278 tan 64 = 142 mm

4. An idler gear, 30 mm in diameter, has to be fitted between a 70 mm diameter driving gear and a

90 mm diameter driven gear, as shown below. Determine the value of angle  between the centre

lines.
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The triangle involving angle  is shown below,

where AB = 45 mm radius + 15 mm radius = 60 mm

and BC = 35 mm radius + 15 mm radius = 50 mm

Using the cosine rule gives:

from which,

and angle,  = = 130

5. A reciprocating engine mechanism is shown below. The crank AB is 12.0 cm long and the

connecting rod BC is 32.0 cm long. For the position shown determine the length of AC and the

angle between the crank and the connecting rod.

The mechanism is shown below with the measurements marked.

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Using the sine rule, from which, sin C =

and C = = 13.95

The angle between the crank and the connecting rod, ABC =180 - 40 - 13.95

= 126.05
Using the sine rule gives:

from which, AC = = 40.25 cm

Alternatively, using the cosine rule,

from which, AC = = 40.25 cm

6. From the diagram of question 3, determine how far C moves, correct to the nearest millimetre

when angle CAB changes from 40 to 160, B moving in an anticlockwise direction.

A diagram showing the position of the crank and connecting rod when angle CAB is 160 is shown

below.

Using the sine rule, from which, sin =

and  = = 7.37

Hence, ABC =180 - 7.37 - 160 = 12.63

Using the sine rule again gives:

from which, AC = = 20.46 cm

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Hence, the distance that C moves, i.e. CC = AC - AC = 40.25 – 20.46 = 19.8 cm

7. A surveyor, standing W 25 S of a tower measures the angle of elevation of the top of the tower as

4630'. From a position E 23 S from the tower the elevation of the top is 3715'. Determine the

height of the tower if the distance between the two observations is 75 m.

A sketch is shown below where AB is the height of the tower.

Triangle ABC is right-angled, hence tan 46º30´ =

from which, BC = = 0.948965 AB

Similarly, triangle ABD is right-angled, hence tan 37º15´ =

from which, BD = = 1.315067AB

Using the cosine rule on triangle CBD, where angle B = 180º - 25º - 23º = 132º gives:

i.e.

i.e.

i.e.

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from which, = 36.2 m

Hence, the height of the tower is 36.2 m

8. An aeroplane is sighted due east from a radar station at an elevation of 40 and a height of

8000 m, and later at an elevation of 35 and height 5500 m in a direction E 70 S. If it is

descending uniformly, find the angle of descent. Determine also the speed of the aeroplane in

km/h if the time between the two observations is 45 s.

From the sketch of the aeroplanes flight shown below.

Tan 40 = from which, OA = = 9534.03 m

Tan 35 = from which, OB = = 7854.81 m

From the cosine rule,

from which, AB = 10068.24 m

From the view shown below, XY = 8000 – 5500 = 2500 m

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Hence, angle of descent,  = = 13.95 or 1357

Flight distance of aeroplane between observations, XZ =

= 10373.98 m or 10.374 km

Hence, speed of descent = km/h = 829.9 km/h

9. 16 holes are equally spaced on a pitch circle of 70 mm diameter. Determine the length of the

chord joining the centres of two adjacent holes.

If 16 holes are equally spaced around a circle of diameter 70 mm, i.e. radius 35 mm, then the holes

are spaced = 22.5 apart.

Length x in the diagram is the chord joining the centres of two adjacent holes.

Using the cosine rule,

from which, x= = 13.66 mm

EXERCISE 47 Page 108

1. (d) 2. (a) 3. (b) 4. (c) 5. (c) 6. (b) 7. (c) 8. (d) 9. (d) 10. (d) 11. (a) 12. (b) 13. (d)

14. (b) 15. (b) 16. (c) 17. (d) 18. (c) 19. (d) 20. (a) 21. (a) 22. (a) 23. (c) 24. (a) 25. (b)

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