Let me analyze each picture to determine whether ∠A is an
angle of elevation or an
angle of depression.
An
angle of elevation is formed when you look *up* from a lower point to a higher point.
An
angle of depression is formed when you look *down* from a higher point to a lower point.
In both cases, the angle is measured between the horizontal line (dashed) and the line of sight (solid blue line), at the observer’s eye level.
Now, I’ll go one by one:
1.
Helicopter looking down at a house:
The observer is in the helicopter (high up), looking down toward the house (lower). So ∠A is
angle of depression.
2.
Person looking at a ball on the ground:
The person is standing (higher), ball is on ground (lower). Line of sight goes downward. So ∠A is
angle of depression.
3.
Person on ground looking up at hot air balloon:
Observer is on ground (lower), balloon is high up. Line of sight goes upward. So ∠A is
angle of elevation.
4.
Fish looking up at sailboat:
Fish is underwater (lower), boat is on surface (higher). Line of sight goes upward. So ∠A is
angle of elevation.
5.
Bird flying high, looking down at tree:
Bird is high (higher), tree top is lower. Line of sight goes downward. So ∠A is
angle of depression.
Final Answer:
1. angle of depression
2. angle of depression
3. angle of elevation
4. angle of elevation
5. angle of depression
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of worksheet angles of depression and elevation.
