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 function:

Where:

• \( \theta \) — Angle of elevation (radians)
• Opposite — Vertical distance from observer to object (meters)
• Adjacent — Horizontal distance from observer to object (meters)

Explanation: The calculator first computes the angle in radians using the arctangent function, then converts it to degrees for easier interpretation.

3. Applications of Angle of Elevation

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

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the vertical distance (opposite side) and horizontal distance (adjacent side) in meters. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: What's the maximum possible angle of elevation?
A: The maximum is 90° when looking straight up (adjacent side approaches zero).

Q3: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's mathematically precise for perfect right triangles. Real-world accuracy depends on measurement precision.

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

Q5: What if I know the hypotenuse instead?
A: You would need to use the arcsine function instead: θ = arcsin(Opposite/Hypotenuse).