- The length of the shortest leg of the right-angle triangle is 3.5 feet.
- The angle of depression is complementary to the angle of elevation.
- You should use the inverse tangent function because the lengths of the opposite and adjacent sides of the right-angle triangle are known.
- The angle of depression is approximately 19 degrees.
<h3>How to determine the parameters?</h3>
By critically observing the basketball hoop (see attachment), we can logically deduce that the basket's height from Lisa's horizontal sight is the same as the length of the shortest leg of the right-angle triangle:
Shortest leg = 8.5 - 5
Shortest leg = 3.5 feet.
In Geometry, the sum of all the angles in a triangle is equal to 180°:
x + y + z = 180
x + y + 90 = 180
x + y = 180 - 90
x + y = 90° (complementary angle).
Therefore, the angle of depression is complementary to the angle of elevation.
Also, you should use the inverse tangent function because the lengths of the opposite and adjacent sides of the right-angle triangle are known.
<h3>How to find the angle of depression?</h3>
Angle of depression = tan⁻¹(Opposite/Adjacent)
Angle of depression = tan⁻¹(3.5/10)
Angle of depression = 19.29° ≈ 19°.
Learn more about right-angle triangle here: brainly.com/question/9449953
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