After learning the Pythagorean theorem the eighth graders extended their
study of trigonometry by using the tangent, sine and cosine ratios.  They
measured their shadows and their heights.  Using the tangent ratio they
figured the angle to be 49 degrees.  They were able to compute the height of the school building, flagpole, and other structures in town.
 

 
Here of some of the problems the students wrote.

The length of Trisha’s shadow was 110 centimeters.  The angle in which
the sun cast its shadow was 49 degrees.  What is Trisha’s height?

The flagpole’s shadow was 310 centimeters.  The angle again was 49
degrees.  What is the height of the flagpole?

The height of the front of the school building is 12 feet.  Earlier in the day
another class measured shadows.  The sun’s angle  was 45 degrees.  What was the length of the school building’s shadow?

The distance between each of the bases on a major league baseball
diamond is 90 feet.  What distance must a catcher throw the ball to stop a player from stealing second base?

Katchya Roberts catches for the Pekin High School girls softball team.
The distance between the bases at the high school level is 60 feet.  What
distance must Katchya throw the ball to keep a player from stealing second base?