California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Math Practice Exam

Which scenario requires the use of the angle of elevation calculation?

1. Measuring the height of a bird above the ground

2. Calculating the depth of a swimming pool

3. Determining how far a tree casts a shadow

4. Finding the length of a flat surface

The correct answer is: Measuring the height of a bird above the ground

The scenario that involves the angle of elevation is when measuring the height of an object, such as a bird, from a specified point on the ground. The angle of elevation is defined as the angle formed by a horizontal line and the line of sight to an object above that horizontal line. In this case, to find out how high the bird is flying, one would observe the bird from a distance, measure the angle of elevation to the bird, and use trigonometric functions—specifically, the tangent function—to calculate its height based on that angle and the distance from the observer to the point directly below the bird. The other scenarios do not involve an angle of elevation in the same way. Measuring the depth of a swimming pool involves vertical measurement straight down rather than requiring an angle. Determining how far a tree casts a shadow involves calculations based on a light source’s position, typically incorporating angles but not focusing on elevation. Finding the length of a flat surface generally concerns flat dimensions and does not involve angular measurements, so the angle of elevation would not apply in that context.