Sample Questions Header Block

Subject Test Math 1

Sample Question 9 of 32 Sample Question 11 of 32
BackClose

Select a Subject

Subject Test Math 1

Question 10 of 32

beginning of content:
Tags:
SAT Subject Test

A pole 12 meters tall is perpendicular to level ground. A taut wire that is 20 meters long extends from the top of the pole to the ground. What is the angle of elevation, to the nearest degree, from the bottom of the wire to the top of the pole?

Select an Answer

31 to the power of text o end text end exponent

Correct Answer: 
No

35 to the power of text o end text end exponent

Correct Answer: 
No

37 to the power of text o end text end exponent

Correct Answer: 
Yes

53 to the power of text o end text end exponent

Correct Answer: 
No

59 to the power of text o end text end exponent

Correct Answer: 
No

It is helpful to draw a figure.

The figure presents a right triangle with a horizontal side, a vertical side, and a slanted side. The horizontal side is extended to the right and left of the triangle. There is a right angle symbol in the angle between the horizontal side and the vertical side. The angle between the horizontal side and the slanted side is labeled “theta.” The vertical side is labeled “12 m,” and the slanted side is labeled “20 m.”

Let theta represent the angle of elevation (the angle between the line of sight and the horizontal).

You can find theta by setting up the equation sin theta invisible times equals fraction numerator 12 over denominator 20 end fraction. To find theta you need to find sin to the power of negative 1 end exponent left parenthesis fraction numerator 12 over denominator 20 end fraction right parenthesis.

(For the Level 1 Test, make sure your calculator is in degree mode.) To the nearest degree, the angle of elevation is 37 to the power of text o end text end exponent.

Question Difficulty: 
medium