NCERT Chapter Summary: Heights and Distances

NCERT Chapter Summary: Heights and Distances

Trigonometry is one of the most ancient subjects studied by scholars all over the world. Trigonometry was invented because its need arose in astronomy. Since then the astronomers have used it, for instance, to calculate distances from the Earth to the planets and stars.

The line of sight is the line drawn from the eye of an observer to the point in the object viewed by the observer.

The angle of elevation of an object viewed, is the angle formed by the line of sight with the horizontal when it is above the horizontal level - the case when we raise our head to look at the object.

The angle of depression of an object viewed, is the angle formed by the line of sight with the horizontal when it is below the horizontal level - the case when we lower our head to look at the object.

The height or length of an object or the distance between two distant objects can be determined with the help of trigonometric ratios.