Example 3
- Author:
- Walch Education
- Topic:
- Angles, Trigonometry
A sonar operator on an anchored cruiser detects a pod of dolphins feeding at a depth of about 255 meters directly below. If the cruiser travels 450 meters west and the dolphins remain at the same depth to feed, what is the angle of depression, , from the cruiser to the pod? What is the distance, , between the cruiser and the pod? Round your answers to the nearest whole number.
- Make a drawing of the scenario.
- Find the angle of depression. Identify the given information to determine which trigonometric function to use.
- Determine the distance, .