1. ## unsure about the term

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??

2. ## Re: unsure about the term

No, it's 29 degrees and 38 minutes. A minute is 1/60 of a degree.

3. ## Re: unsure about the term

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

4. ## Re: unsure about the term

Draw a diagram. Use trig.

5. ## Re: unsure about the term

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 $\displaystyle 29^\circ 38' = \left(29 + \frac{38}{60} \right)^\circ$ and your calculator to solve for the height (opposite side of this angle) in the right triangle problem.

6. ## Re: unsure about the term

oh thanks! Now i can solve it!

7. ## Re: unsure about the term

I could not do that and that is why i posted here

8. ## Re: unsure about the term

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.

9. ## Re: unsure about the term

Originally Posted by Calcgirl
I could not do that and that is why i posted here
could not do what? be specific.

10. ## Re: unsure about the term

Just get its value of 38 min from the tan table.
tan A=P/B
here p=perpendicular
b=base
so tan(29 degree and 38 min)=P/655
In this question we can easily find out the value of tan29 but got 38 we have to check its value from table