Problem
If a person’s moon shadow is reflected in the water, its length is $10 ft$ from the feet, and the height from the water’s surface to the eyes is $6 ft$, How many degrees does the moon hang over?
岡山県総社市東阿曽-300x178.png)
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Solution
Let the elevation angle of the moon be $θ$.
Then, since $AB=10$ is the length of the moon shadow, and $BC=6$ is the eye height in the figure,
$$tanθ=\frac{6}{10}=0.6,$$
$$∴ \ θ≒30°57’49.52^”.$$
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$$(Answer) \quad Approximately \ 30°57’49.52^”.$$
Reference
Yoshikazu Yamakawa, ed. (1997) Okayama ken no Sangaku (Sangaku in Okayama Prefecture), p.48; p.315.