Angle of Depression

Definition

The angle of depression is the acute angle formed between the horizontal line of sight and the downward line of sight to an object below the observer's eye level. This term is particularly relevant in the context of topics related to angles and right triangle trigonometry.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The angle of depression is always an acute angle, meaning it is less than 90 degrees.
2. The angle of depression is used to determine the height or distance of an object below the observer's eye level.
3. In the context of right triangle trigonometry, the angle of depression is the complement of the angle of elevation.
4. The tangent ratio is commonly used to calculate the angle of depression, as it represents the ratio of the opposite side to the adjacent side of a right triangle.
5. Knowing the angle of depression and the distance to the object can be used to calculate the vertical height or depth of the object below the observer's eye level.

Review Questions

• Explain how the angle of depression is related to the concept of angles and how it is used in right triangle trigonometry.
  • The angle of depression is a specific type of angle that is formed between the horizontal line of sight and the downward line of sight to an object below the observer's eye level. This angle is an acute angle, meaning it is less than 90 degrees. In the context of right triangle trigonometry, the angle of depression is the complement of the angle of elevation, which is the angle formed between the horizontal line of sight and the upward line of sight to an object above the observer's eye level. The angle of depression can be used, along with the trigonometric ratios, to calculate the height or distance of an object below the observer's eye level.
• Describe how the angle of depression is used to determine the height or depth of an object below the observer's eye level.
  • The angle of depression can be used to determine the height or depth of an object below the observer's eye level. By knowing the angle of depression and the distance to the object, the vertical height or depth can be calculated using trigonometric ratios, such as the tangent ratio. Specifically, the tangent of the angle of depression is equal to the ratio of the opposite side (the vertical height or depth) to the adjacent side (the horizontal distance to the object). This relationship can be used to solve for the unknown vertical dimension of the object, which is a key application of the angle of depression in right triangle trigonometry.
• Analyze how the angle of depression is related to the concept of vertical angles and how this relationship can be used to solve problems involving objects below the observer's eye level.
  • The angle of depression is closely related to the concept of vertical angles, which are the angles formed between two intersecting lines that are perpendicular to each other, with one line being vertical and the other being horizontal. The angle of depression is an acute vertical angle, formed between the horizontal line of sight and the downward line of sight to an object below the observer's eye level. This relationship can be used to solve problems involving objects below the observer's eye level. For example, if the angle of depression and the distance to the object are known, the vertical height or depth of the object can be calculated using trigonometric ratios, such as the tangent ratio. Additionally, the complementary nature of the angle of depression and the angle of elevation can be leveraged to solve problems involving both upward and downward lines of sight.

Related terms

Angle of Elevation: The acute angle formed between the horizontal line of sight and the upward line of sight to an object above the observer's eye level.

Vertical Angle: The angle formed between two intersecting lines that are perpendicular to each other, where one line is vertical and the other is horizontal.

Trigonometric Ratios: The ratios of the sides of a right triangle, such as sine, cosine, and tangent, which are used to solve for unknown sides or angles.