16Hit1600
Geometry and TrigonometryHardHorizontal distance from a slant length

Geometry and Trigonometry practice question

A 20-metre cable runs from the top of a mast to the ground, making an angle of 60° with the ground. How far, in metres, is the cable's ground anchor from the base of the mast?

Answer: 10

20 cos 60° = 20 × 1/2 = 10.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 40
40 divides by cos 60°.
If you answered 17.3
17.3 uses sin 60°, the mast's height.
If you answered 34.6
34.6 uses tan 60°.

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