Triangular Field and Flagpole Problem

00:00 14 marks

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A triangular field ABC has side AB = 85 m and side AC = 110 m. The angle BAC is 55°.

(a) Calculate the length of side BC. [3]

(b) Calculate the area of the field ABC. [3]

A vertical flagpole, BT, is erected at point B. The angle of elevation from A to the top of the flagpole T is 15°.

(c) Calculate the height of the flagpole, BT. [2]

(d) Calculate the angle of elevation from C to the top of the flagpole T. [4]

(e) Calculate the shortest distance from C to the line segment AB. [2]

Part a

3 minutes 3 marks

Question

Calculate the length of side BC. [3]



Hint Hint

Hint

Apply the cosine rule: \(BC = \sqrt{85^2 + 110^2 – 2 \times 85 \times 110 \cos(55°)}\).

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Complete Answer

\(BC = \sqrt{85^2 + 110^2 – 2 \times 85 \times 110 \cos(55°)} \approx 92.7\) m

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Part b

3 minutes 3 marks

Question

Calculate the area of the field ABC. [3]



Hint Hint

Hint

Use the area formula: \(Area = \frac{1}{2} \times 85 \times 110 \times \sin(55°)\).

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Complete Answer

\(Area = \frac{1}{2} \times 85 \times 110 \times \sin(55°) \approx 3830\) m²

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Part c

2 minutes 2 marks

Question

Calculate the height of the flagpole, BT. [2]



Hint Hint

Hint

In triangle ABT, use \(\tan(15°) = \frac{BT}{85}\).

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Complete Answer

\(BT = 85 \tan(15°) \approx 22.8\) m

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Part d

4 minutes 4 marks

Question

Calculate the angle of elevation from C to the top of the flagpole T. [4]



Hint Hint

Hint

In triangle TBC, use the tangent ratio: \(\tan(\theta) = \frac{BT}{BC}\).

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Complete Answer

\(\theta = \arctan\left(\frac{22.8}{92.7}\right) \approx 13.8°\)

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Part e

2 minutes 2 marks

Question

Calculate the shortest distance from C to the line segment AB. [2]



Hint Hint

Hint

The perpendicular distance from C to AB is given by \(h = AC \sin(55°)\).

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Complete Answer

\(h = 110 \sin(55°) \approx 90.1\) m

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