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I am stuck on the following three problems any help is appreciated.

  1. Two buildings with flat roofs are 60 feet apart. From the roof of the shorter building 40 ft in height the angle of elevation to the edge of the roof of the taller building is 40 degree. How high is the taller building.

  2. A ladder with its foot in the street makes an angle of 30 degrees with the street when its top rests on a building on one side of the street and makes angle of 40 with the street when its top rest on a building on the other side of the street, if the ladder is 50 feet long how wide is the street.

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    **Step 1:** Draw a picture; **Step 2:** Identify the triangle being described by the word problem; **Step 3:** Fill in all the information you are given. **Step 4:** Use trigonometric functions or identities to find the quantity being asked.2012-06-23
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    @AndréNicolas I think number 2 has enough information. I am just assuming the ladder is fixed someplace in the street. First it touches the first building and make some angle, then keeping the base, you flip onto the other side until it touches the other building.2012-06-23
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    @William: Yes, it is a matter of interpretation. With not moving foot of ladder, and *leaning* against (quite tall) buildings, everything is OK.2012-06-23

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