1. What is Angle of Elevation?

The angle of elevation is the angle between the horizontal line and the line of sight to an object above the horizontal. It's commonly used in surveying, navigation, and engineering to determine heights and distances.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the inverse sine (arcsine) function:

Where:

• \( \theta \) — Angle of elevation in degrees
• \( height \) — Vertical distance from observer to object (feet)
• \( distance \) — Horizontal distance from observer to object (feet)

Explanation: The ratio of height to distance gives the sine of the angle, and the arcsine function converts this ratio back to the angle.

3. Applications of Angle of Elevation

Details: Used in architecture to calculate building heights, in aviation for approach angles, in astronomy for celestial observations, and in military for targeting calculations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter height and distance in the same units (both in feet). Both values must be positive numbers. The distance should be greater than the height for valid results.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between angle of elevation and depression?
A: Angle of elevation looks upward to an object, while angle of depression looks downward from a higher vantage point.

Q2: What's the maximum possible angle of elevation?
A: The maximum is 90° when looking straight up (height = distance, distance approaches 0).

Q3: Can I use different units for height and distance?
A: No, both must be in the same units. The calculator uses feet, but the formula works with any consistent unit.

Q4: What if my distance is less than height?
A: Mathematically this gives an angle > 90°, which isn't a valid angle of elevation (you'd be looking backward).

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's mathematically precise, but real-world accuracy depends on precise measurement of height and distance.