Applications of Trigonometric Functions Section 4.8 Applications of Trigonometric Functions

Overview In this section, we examine problem solving with an emphasis on right triangle trigonometry (previously discussed in Section 4.3). Trigonometry was first developed to measure heights and distances that were inconvenient or impossible to measure directly. You must be able to represent the problem situation in a sketch or drawing, then develop the needed trig ratios.

Some Helpful Definitions Bearing – the location of one point relative to another. The bearing from point O to point P is the acute angle, measured in degrees, between ray OP and a north south line:

Continued Angle of elevation – the angle between the ground (horizontal) and line of sight looking up at an object. Angle of depression – the angle between an imaginary horizontal line and line of sight looking down at an object.

Examples Galore Problems 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13