1. **State the problem:** We have a right triangle formed by a tent pole (vertical side) of length 26 ft, a base (horizontal side) of length 20 ft, and the hypotenuse representing the slant height of the tent's side. We want to find the angle the tent pole makes with the side of the tent (the hypotenuse). 2. **Identify the sides:** The vertical pole is the opposite side to the angle we want, the base is the adjacent side, and the hypotenuse is the side opposite the right angle. 3. **Formula used:** To find the angle between the pole and the side of the tent, we use the sine function: $$\sin(\theta) = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{hypotenuse}}$$ 4. **Find the hypotenuse:** Use the Pythagorean theorem: $$\text{hypotenuse} = \sqrt{26^2 + 20^2} = \sqrt{676 + 400} = \sqrt{1076}$$ 5. **Calculate the hypotenuse:** $$\sqrt{1076} \approx 32.81$$ 6. **Calculate sine of the angle:** $$\sin(\theta) = \frac{26}{32.81} \approx 0.792$$ 7. **Find the angle:** $$\theta = \sin^{-1}(0.792) \approx 52.4^\circ$$ **Final answer:** The angle the tent pole makes with the side of the tent is approximately $52.4^\circ$.