We have a right triangle. We know the hypotenuse (75 ft) and an angle of 35°. We need to find the opposite leg to the angle of 35° (h). The trigonometric function that relates the opposite leg to an angle with the hypotenuse is sine:
sin 35° = (Opposite leg to 35°) / hypotenuse
sin 35° = h/(75 ft)
Solving for h:
(75 ft) sin 35°=h
h=75 sin 35° ft
h=75 (0.573576436) ft
h=43.01823270 ft
h=43 ft
Answer: The bottom of the balloon is 43 ft from the ground
