The side opposite an acute angle is called the opposite side for that angle. A ratio is an expression that compares two quantities by division. Students can use a protractor instead of an astrolabe to do the measurement. Simply tape or tie the string with the weight directly to the protractor at the origin. However, there is some benefit from constructing an astrolabe, which you can keep to use later.
Preparation Find a tall object to measure, such as a flagpole, light post, or telephone pole.
Read or print this page with Figures 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, and the Tangent Table. The challenge of measuring remote objects. Look at Figure 5.2. Can you suggest ways to measure the height of the flagpole without going near it. Identify the right triangle.