Question

A ladder rests against the top of the perpendicular wall of a building and makes an angle of 73o with the ground. If the foot of the ladder is 2 m from the wall, calculate the height of the building

Answer 1

The ladder and the building make right triangle. The wall of the building is the cathetus of this triangle which is opposite to the angle $73\degree$. The length of the another cathetus is $2m$. Thus, by the definition of the tangent, obtain the height of the building:

$$h= 2m\cdot \tan 73\degree \approx 6.54m$$

Answer. 6.54 m.