As the students were approaching the park, they noticed a huge tower that was just being completed. Lucas and Jacob were part of the group responsible for looking at
advertising. They couldn’t help but to think, one of the main attractions of the park
would be the ride involving this tower. It was a bright, sunny day. As they got off
the bus, they collected the mathematical materials provided by their teacher. These
materials included: pencil, paper, eraser, calculator, measuring tape, a
clinometer (a tool used to measure vertical angles). They walked through the
park until they reached the shadow of the tower. They looked up and couldn’t
believe how high it was.

a. Explain how the height of the tower might be calculated from the materials
they have using similar triangles. Be sure to include diagrams, formulas
and examples in your explanation.

b. If they are going to advertise, the height of the tower in a brochure that is
being created, they want to be sure of their answer. Describe how they
could use the materials they have and trigonometry to determine the
height of the tower. The explanations should include a detailed diagram,
clear step by step instructions making use of terminology appropriately
and even examples showing the calculations to be used to determine
the height.