The shadow from the pillar of 12 meters is 5 meters. Express in degrees the height of the Sun above the horizon.

This problem is easiest to solve by finding the tangent of the angle between the line connecting the edge of the shadow and the top of the pillar, and the shadow from the pillar. To find the tangent of this angle. It is necessary to divide the length of the post by the length of the shadow. Where C = 12m is the length of the post. T = 5m – the length of the shadow.

Tg (a) = C / T = 12m / 5m = 2.4.

Now you need to find the arctangent of the given number.

Arctg (2.4) = 67.4 °.

The sun is above the horizon at 67.4 °.

This geometric device, before the invention of chronometers, served as a clock.