1. **Problem statement:** From a point on the ground, the angle of elevation to a skyscraper 500 metres away is 15°.
2. **Formula and rules:** To find the height $h$ of the skyscraper, we use the tangent function in a right triangle:
$$\tan(\theta) = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}} = \frac{h}{500}$$
where $\theta = 15^\circ$ and adjacent side is 500 m.
3. **Calculate height:**
$$h = 500 \times \tan(15^\circ)$$
4. **Evaluate $\tan(15^\circ)$:**
Using a calculator or table, $\tan(15^\circ) \approx 0.2679$
5. **Calculate $h$:**
$$h = 500 \times 0.2679 = 133.95$$
6. **Interpretation:** The height of the skyscraper is approximately 134 metres.
7. **Scale drawing:** Using a scale of 1 cm to 50 m, the skyscraper height on the drawing is:
$$\frac{134}{50} = 2.68 \text{ cm}$$
The horizontal distance is:
$$\frac{500}{50} = 10 \text{ cm}$$
**Final answer:** The height of the skyscraper is approximately **134 metres**.
Skyscraper Height F16E00
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