If you're seeing this message, it means we're having trouble loading external resources on our website.

If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked.

Main content

Trigonometry

Course: Trigonometry > Unit 1

Lesson 6: Modeling with right triangles
Math
Trigonometry
Right triangles & trigonometry
Modeling with right triangles
© 2023 Khan AcademyTerms of usePrivacy PolicyCookie Notice

Right triangle trigonometry word problems

CCSS.Math: HSG.SRT.C.8
Google Classroom
You might need: Calculator

Problem

Bugs Bunny was 33 meters below ground, digging his way toward Pismo Beach, when he realized he wanted to be above ground. He turned and dug through the dirt diagonally for 80 meters until he was above ground.
What is the angle of elevation, in degrees, of Bugs Bunny's climb?
Round your final answer to the nearest tenth.
  • Your answer should be
  • an integer, like 6
  • a simplified proper fraction, like 3, slash, 5
  • a simplified improper fraction, like 7, slash, 4
  • a mixed number, like 1, space, 3, slash, 4
  • an exact decimal, like 0, point, 75
  • a multiple of pi, like 12, space, start text, p, i, end text or 2, slash, 3, space, start text, p, i, end text
degrees
Horizontal rectanglular dirt showing a point underground. the vertical height of from a location to the left of the point to the surface is thirty-three meters. A dashed line connects from the point to the surface above the location to the left of the point. This forms the hypotenuse of a right triangle that is eighty meters in distance. The location to the left of the point up to the surface is the height of the right triangle. The angle opposite the height is unknown.
Stuck?
Stuck?