Trig: Word Problems - Sine, Cosine & Tangent 305

This lesson is part of the series: Trigonometry

This 78 minute trigonometry lesson is an opportunity to see how the skills learned in Lesson 300 Basic Trigonometry Part I are used to solving word problems using the 3 primary trig ratios, sin, cos and tan. You find unknown sides and angles in right angle triangles to solve word problems that involve:
- a kite on the end of a string, diagonal of a rectangle, support wires, shadows, ladders, trees, buildings, stairways and more
- angle of elevation and angle of depression
- rise & run

Sample problem: An airplane is flying over a forest at an altitude of 1600 ft. when the pilot sights a fire. He measures the angle of depression and finds it to be 46 degrees. How far is the fire, to the nearest tenth of a ft. from a point on land directly below the airplane?

This lesson contains explanations of the concepts and 17 example questions with step by step solutions plus 3 interactive review questions with solutions.

The following lesson will help you with the fundamentals of this lesson:
- 300 Basic Trigonometry Part I (http://www.mindbites.com/lesson/5125)

All lessons have been prepared by a certified teacher, B.A., B. Ed. (Math Major) with 30+ years experience teaching Math to High School Students and Continuing Education learners. She has a reputation for teaching the math class that “you want to be in.” For more information please visit Math Made Simple: http://www.mathmadesimple.com/

Through her teaching and tutoring experiences, the growth of technology and the internet she recognized a need to make comprehensive math lessons available via the Internet to help:

- High school students who have missed a class or maybe just need a little extra help or are in sports or other extra curricula activities
- Teachers looking for a way...

Kinda rudimentary

09/25/2009

~ jfilip

The actual word problems were kind of silly dealing with kites and whatnot but the math was solid and bringing it all together from the problem was helpful.

The teacher person has a monotone voice but following along with or without sound is actually very easy. So if you need trig practice I found it helpful.

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