Solve each problem. Height of a Lunar Peak The lunar mountain peak Huygens has a height of 21,000 ft. The shadow of Huygens on a photograph was 2.8 mm, while the nearby mountain Bradley had a shadow of 1.8 mm on the same photograph. Calculate the height of Bradley. (Data from Webb, T., Celestial Objects for Common Telescopes, Dover Publications.)
Ch. 1 - Trigonometric Functions
Chapter 2, Problem 47
Concept Check Suppose that the point (x, y) is in the indicated quadrant. Determine whether the given ratio is positive or negative. Recall that r = √(x² + y²) .(Hint: Drawing a sketch may help.) I , y/r
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that the ratio given is \( \frac{y}{r} \), where \( r = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \). Since \( r \) is the distance from the origin to the point \( (x, y) \), it is always positive regardless of the quadrant.
Identify the quadrant: The point \( (x, y) \) is in Quadrant I, where both \( x \) and \( y \) coordinates are positive.
Since \( y \) is positive in Quadrant I and \( r \) is always positive, the ratio \( \frac{y}{r} \) is the quotient of two positive numbers.
Therefore, the ratio \( \frac{y}{r} \) must be positive in Quadrant I.
To visualize this, sketch the coordinate plane, plot a point in Quadrant I, draw the radius \( r \) from the origin to the point, and observe that both \( y \) and \( r \) are positive, confirming the positivity of the ratio.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
2mWas this helpful?
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Coordinate Plane Quadrants
The coordinate plane is divided into four quadrants, each with specific signs for x and y coordinates. In Quadrant I, both x and y are positive, which affects the sign of ratios involving these values.
Recommended video:
Quadratic Formula
Definition of r in Trigonometry
The variable r represents the distance from the origin to the point (x, y), calculated as r = √(x² + y²). Since it is a distance, r is always positive, regardless of the quadrant.
Recommended video:
Fundamental Trigonometric Identities
Sign of Trigonometric Ratios
Trigonometric ratios like y/r correspond to sine of the angle formed by the point and the x-axis. The sign of y/r depends on the sign of y and the always positive r, so in Quadrant I, y/r is positive.
Recommended video:
Introduction to Trigonometric Functions
Related Practice
Textbook Question
696
views
Textbook Question
Perform each calculation. See Example 3. 90° ― 36° 18' 47"
522
views
Textbook Question
Identify the quadrant (or possible quadrants) of an angle θ that satisfies the given conditions. See Example 3.
csc θ > 0 , cot θ > 0
1096
views
Textbook Question
Determine whether each statement is possible or impossible. c. cos θ = 5
804
views
Textbook Question
Perform each calculation. See Example 3. 90° ― 17° 13'
627
views
Textbook Question
Identify the quadrant (or possible quadrants) of an angle θ that satisfies the given conditions. See Example 3.
tan θ < 0 , cot θ < 0
1092
views
