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Angle of Elevation and Depression Calculator

Angle of Elevation Formula:

\[ \text{Elevation} = 90° - \text{Depression} \]

degrees

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1. What is Angle of Elevation and Depression?

The angle of elevation is the angle between the horizontal line and the line of sight when looking upward at an object. The angle of depression is the angle between the horizontal line and the line of sight when looking downward at an object. These angles are complementary (add up to 90 degrees).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

\[ \text{Elevation} = 90° - \text{Depression} \]

Where:

Explanation: Since the angles of elevation and depression are complementary angles, they always add up to 90 degrees when measured from the same observation point.

3. Practical Applications

Details: These concepts are widely used in surveying, navigation, architecture, and physics. They help calculate heights of buildings, distances between objects, and are essential in trigonometry problems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the angle of depression in degrees (must be between 0 and 90 degrees). The calculator will automatically compute the complementary angle of elevation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can the angle of depression be more than 90 degrees?
A: No, the angle of depression is always between 0 and 90 degrees as it's measured from the horizontal downward.

Q2: Are angles of elevation and depression always equal?
A: They are equal only when the observer and object are at the same height. Otherwise, they are complementary (add up to 90 degrees).

Q3: How are these angles measured in real-world applications?
A: Typically using instruments like clinometers, theodolites, or even smartphone apps that can measure angles.

Q4: What's the difference between angle of elevation and inclination?
A: Angle of elevation is measured from the horizontal upward, while inclination can refer to the angle of a slope from any reference.

Q5: Can this calculator work in reverse?
A: Yes, you can calculate depression from elevation using the same formula (Depression = 90° - Elevation).

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