The figure below shows a flying kite. At a certain
moment, the kite string forms an angle of elevation of
75∘ from point A on the ground. At the same moment,
the angle of elevation of the kite at point B, 240 ft from
A on level ground, is 45∘. What is the length, in feet, of
the string?
Approach
Call the point where the kite is C and opposite side c=240. Then, using law of sines,
sinCc=sinBbsin60∘240=sin45∘string length
We can use the calculator, but it will end up with a decimal number.
You can check to see if the first two choices match this decimal number. Alternatively, if you know your unit circle,