1. What is Angle of Elevation?

The angle of elevation is the angle between the horizontal line and the line of sight when an observer looks upward at an object. It's commonly used in trigonometry, surveying, and navigation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the inverse tangent (arctangent) function:

Where:

• \( \theta \) — Angle of elevation in degrees
• \( Opp \) — Length of the opposite side (height difference)
• \( Adj \) — Length of the adjacent side (horizontal distance)

Explanation: The formula converts the ratio of opposite to adjacent sides into an angle using the arctangent function, then converts from radians to degrees.

3. Applications of Angle of Elevation

Details: Used in architecture to calculate roof pitches, in aviation for approach angles, in astronomy to measure celestial objects' positions, and in construction for determining slopes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both opposite and adjacent lengths in meters. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will output the angle in degrees (0° to 90°).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between angle of elevation and depression?
A: Angle of elevation is looking upward from horizontal, while angle of depression is looking downward from horizontal.

Q2: What if my adjacent side is zero?
A: The angle would be 90° (vertical), but the calculator requires positive values for both sides.

Q3: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically precise, assuming perfect measurements of the triangle sides.

Q4: Can I use different units?
A: Yes, as long as both measurements use the same units (both in meters, feet, etc.).

Q5: What's the maximum possible angle of elevation?
A: The maximum is 90°, which would occur when the adjacent side approaches zero length.