1. What is the Angle of Elevation?

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the inverse tangent (arctangent) function:

Where:

• \( \theta \) — Angle of elevation in degrees
• \( Height \) — Vertical height difference (meters)
• \( Distance \) — Horizontal distance (meters)

Explanation: The formula calculates the angle whose tangent is the ratio of height to distance, then converts from radians to degrees.

3. Applications of Angle Calculation

Details: Angle calculations are essential in construction (roof pitches), aviation (approach angles), astronomy (celestial observations), and military (artillery targeting).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both height and distance in the same units (meters recommended). Ensure both values are positive numbers greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between angle of elevation and depression?
A: Elevation is looking upward from horizontal, depression is looking downward. Both use the same calculation method.

Q2: Can I use different units for height and distance?
A: No, both must be in the same units. The calculator assumes meters but any consistent unit will work mathematically.

Q3: What's the maximum possible angle?
A: Theoretically 90° (when distance approaches zero), but practically angles above 75° become difficult to measure accurately this way.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: Very accurate for most purposes, assuming precise height and distance measurements on level ground.

Q5: Can this calculate distance if I know height and angle?
A: Yes, by rearranging the formula: Distance = Height / tan(θ × π/180)