• July 31st 2012, 08:45 PM
Calcgirl
So i was trying to solve a problem as listed as below.

From a boat on the lake, the angle of elevation to the top of a cliff is 29°38ʹ. If the base of the cliff is
655 feet from the boat, how high is the cliff (to the nearest foot)?

I am unsure how to approach this problem because i dont get what
29°38ʹ is!

is it trying to tell me that it is 29 degree and 38 ft??(Worried)

• July 31st 2012, 09:29 PM
Prove It
No, it's 29 degrees and 38 minutes. A minute is 1/60 of a degree.
• July 31st 2012, 09:32 PM
Calcgirl
so,, would it mean 29 and 38/60 degree?? how do i solve that? please help me! i am very confused
• July 31st 2012, 09:46 PM
richard1234
Draw a diagram. Use trig.
• August 1st 2012, 03:58 AM
skeeter
Quote:

Originally Posted by Calcgirl
so,, would it mean 29 and 38/60 degree?? how do i solve that? please help me! i am very confused

... use the $29^\circ 38' = \left(29 + \frac{38}{60} \right)^\circ$ and your calculator to solve for the height (opposite side of this angle) in the right triangle problem.
• August 1st 2012, 09:27 AM
Calcgirl
oh thanks! Now i can solve it!
• August 1st 2012, 09:30 AM
Calcgirl
I could not do that and that is why i posted here
• August 1st 2012, 11:17 AM
emakarov
Quote:

Originally Posted by Prove It
A minute is 1/60 of a degree.

Fun fact: Minute means "minute." "Second" means second minute part of an hour (or degree), so "minute" is, in fact, first minute part of an hour.
• August 1st 2012, 02:29 PM
skeeter
Quote:

Originally Posted by Calcgirl
I could not do that and that is why i posted here

could not do what? be specific.
• August 3rd 2012, 01:54 AM
kraj8995