Trigonometry has many applications in the real world, in science, engineering and construction. This activity makes use of trigonometry вЂ“ the relationships between the lengths and angles of triangles. Object height from eye level + height to eye level = final object height At different distances, you can work out the height using the tangent function, one of the so-called вЂtrigonometric ratiosвЂ™. In this activity, the line of sight to the top of a tall object forms the long side (hypotenuse) of such a triangle, making it possible to estimate the height of the object simply by measuring the distance to it and adding the height to your eye level. In a right-angled triangle in which the other two angles are 45 degrees, two of the sides are equal in length, whatever the size of the triangle. Trigonometry was used over 2,000 years ago in astronomy to work out the patterns of movement of the Sun, Moon and stars. Try rolling your paper so that itвЂ™s smaller or larger in diameter.How accurate was your height estimator? Is it more accurate with something that is closer or further away? Then measure its actual height with a tape measure. Use your height estimator to calculate the height of something.How do you think trigonometry could be useful in construction? What about in making video games or in astronomy?.If you could measure the height of anything, what would it be?.Tan Оё x distance to object = object height from eye level Use this formula to calculate the height of the object from eye level: Hold the string where it has fallen and read the angle (Оё).

Tree height measure tool