8-4 Angles of Elevation and Depression

Objective

To use angles of elevation and depression to solve problems

Image Long Description

The angles in the Solve It are formed below the horizontal black pipe. Angles formed above and below a horizontal line have specific names.

Suppose a person on the ground sees a hang glider at a 38 ° 38 degrees angle above a horizontal line. This angle is the angle of elevation.

At the same time, a person in the hang glider sees the person on the ground at a 38 ° 38 degrees angle below a horizontal line. This angle is the angle of depression.

Notice that the angle of elevation is congruent to the angle of depression because they are alternate interior angles.

Essential Understanding You can use the angles of elevation and depression as the acute angles of right triangles formed by a horizontal distance and a vertical height.

Table of Contents