16Hit1600
Geometry and TrigonometryMediumVertical drop from slope length and angle

Geometry and Trigonometry practice question

A straight ramp is 18 metres long and makes a 30° angle with the horizontal ground. What is the vertical height of the top of the ramp above the ground?

  1. A. 9 mCorrect
  2. B. 15.6 m
  3. C. 36 m
  4. D. 10.4 m

Answer: A. 9 m

The height is opposite the 30° angle with the ramp as hypotenuse: 18 sin 30° = 9.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 15.6 m
15.6 is 18 cos 30°, the horizontal distance.
C. 36 m
36 divides 18 by sin 30° instead of multiplying.
D. 10.4 m
10.4 is 18 tan 30°, which would need 18 to be the horizontal distance.

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