1. What is Angle of Elevation?

The angle of elevation is the angle between the horizontal line and the line of sight to an object above the horizontal. It's commonly used in surveying, navigation, and engineering.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the angle of elevation formula:

Where:

• \( \theta \) — Angle of elevation (degrees)
• \( H \) — Height of the object (same units as distance)
• \( D \) — Distance from observer to object base (same units as height)

Explanation: The formula calculates the inverse tangent (arctangent) of the ratio between height and distance to determine the angle.

3. Applications of Angle of Elevation

Details: Used in architecture to determine building heights, in aviation for approach angles, in astronomy for celestial observations, and in military for targeting.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter height and distance in the same units (meters, feet, etc.). Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will return the angle in degrees.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between angle of elevation and depression?
A: Angle of elevation looks upward to an object, while angle of depression looks downward from a higher position.

Q2: What is the maximum possible angle of elevation?
A: The maximum angle of elevation is 90° when looking straight up (distance approaches zero).

Q3: Can I use different units for height and distance?
A: No, both must be in the same units since the calculation uses their ratio.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's mathematically precise for ideal conditions (flat ground, single point observation).

Q5: What if my distance is zero?
A: The calculator requires distance > 0. At zero distance, the angle would be 90° (looking straight up).