1. What is the Angle of Elevation?

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the inverse tangent (arctangent) function:

Where:

• \( \theta \) — Angle of elevation
• Height — Vertical distance from observer to object (in meters)
• Distance — Horizontal distance from observer to object (in meters)

Explanation: The ratio of height to distance gives the tangent of the angle, and the inverse tangent function converts this ratio back to the angle itself.

3. Practical Applications

Details: Angle of elevation calculations are used in architecture (building design), aviation (approach angles), astronomy (celestial observations), and military (targeting).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both height and distance in meters. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will provide the angle in both degrees and radians.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between angle of elevation and depression?
A: Angle of elevation looks upward to an object, while angle of depression looks downward from a higher observation point.

Q2: Can I use different units for height and distance?
A: The units must be the same for both measurements. You can use any unit as long as both height and distance use that unit.

Q3: What is the range of possible angles?
A: The angle of elevation ranges from 0° (looking straight ahead) to just under 90° (looking nearly straight up).

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically precise, but real-world accuracy depends on the precision of your height and distance measurements.

Q5: What if the distance is zero?
A: The calculation becomes undefined (division by zero) as this would require looking straight up (90° angle).