Real-World Modeling with Inverse Sine

  • 10th Grade
Reviewed by Cierra Henderson
Cierra Henderson, MBA |
K-12 Expert
Review Board Member
Cierra is an educational consultant and curriculum developer who has worked with students in K-12 for a variety of subjects including English and Math as well as test prep. She specializes in one-on-one support for students especially those with learning differences. She holds an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a certificate in educational consulting from UC Irvine.
, MBA
By Thames
T
Thames
Community Contributor
Quizzes Created: 8156 | Total Attempts: 9,588,805
| Attempts: 12 | Questions: 20 | Updated: Jan 22, 2026
Please wait...
Question 1 / 21
🏆 Rank #--
Score 0/100

1) A cable exerts tension T = 800 N at angle θ, producing a vertical component Tᵥ = 400 N. Find θ in degrees.

Explanation

We are told the vertical component Tᵥ = T sin θ.



So, sin θ = Tᵥ / T = 400 / 800 = 1/2. To find θ, take the inverse sine: θ = arcsin(1/2). We know sin 30° = 1/2, so θ = 30°.

Submit
Please wait...
About This Quiz
Real-world Modeling With Inverse Sine - Quiz

Apply arcsin to realistic situations — from ramps, ladders, and waves to motion and design problems. You’ll model physical relationships like θ = arcsin(opposite / hypotenuse) and interpret what each solution means in context. Each question reinforces how inverse sine connects angles, and ratios in applied scenarios. By the end,... see moreyou’ll feel confident applying arcsin to practical, real-life scenarios.
see less

2)

What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

You may optionally provide this to label your report, leaderboard, or certificate.

2) The vertical displacement of a roller-coaster car is s = 5 sin θ. If s = 0 in the principal range, what is θ?

Explanation

The formula is:

s = 5 sin θ

So, first Substitute s = 0

0 = 5 sin θ

Then, Divide both sides by 5

sin θ = 0

and finally, find the principal-value angle whose sine is 0

The principal range for arcsin is:

−90° ≤ θ ≤ 90°

In this interval, the only angle with sin θ = 0 is:

θ = 0°

Submit

3) A boat moves along a wave modeled by y = 2 sin(kx). If y = −1 and kx ∈ [−π/2, π/2], find kx.

Explanation

The formula is: y = 2 sin(kx)

So, first Substitute y = −1

−1 = 2 sin(kx)

Then, Divide both sides by 2

sin(kx) = −1/2

And finally, find the principal-value angle whose sine is −1/2

So, The principal range for arcsin is:

−π/2 ≤ kx ≤ π/2

In this interval, the angle with sin(kx) = −1/2 is:

kx = −π/6

Submit

4) A skateboarder launches off a ramp at angle θ. If vᵧ = v sin θ with v = 12 m/s and vᵧ = 6 m/s, find θ in degrees.

Explanation

The formula is: vᵧ = v sin θ

So, first substitute the values:

6 = 12 sin θ

Then, divide both sides by 12:

sin θ = 6 / 12

sin θ = 1/2

And finally, find the angle whose sine is 1/2:

θ = 30°

So the skateboarder’s launch angle is 30°.

Submit

5) A surfer's ramp angle satisfies sin θ = 1/2. What is θ?

Explanation

We know sin(π/6) = 1/2. Since 1/2 is positive, θ is in Quadrant I. Hence, θ = π/6.

Submit

6) A buoy's height is h = 1.2 + 0.8 sin(kt). If h = 1.2, find kt.

Explanation

The formula is: h = 1.2 + 0.8 sin(kt)

So, first substitute h = 1.2:

1.2 = 1.2 + 0.8 sin(kt)

Then, subtract 1.2 from both sides:

0 = 0.8 sin(kt)

Next, divide both sides by 0.8:

sin(kt) = 0

And finally, find the principal-value angle whose sine is 0:

kt = arcsin(0)

Submit

7) A pendulum's displacement is y = 0.12 sin(ωt). At time t₀, y = 0.06, find ωt₀.

Explanation

The formula is: y = 0.12 sin(ωt)

So, first substitute y = 0.06:

0.06 = 0.12 sin(ωt₀)

Then, divide both sides by 0.12:

sin(ωt₀) = 0.06 / 0.12

sin(ωt₀) = 0.5

And finally, solve for the angle:

ωt₀ = arcsin(0.5)

Submit

8) A ship's sonar measures angle of elevation 18°. sin(18°) = h/250. Find h.

Explanation

We are given: sin(18°) = h / 250

So, first multiply both sides by 250 to solve for h:

h = 250 · sin(18°)

This expression gives the height of the object above the horizontal line of sight.

Submit

9) A stage light shines on a wall 30 m away. The height on the wall is H = 30 sin θ. If H = 24 m, find θ.

Explanation

The formula is: H = 30 sin θ

So, first, Substitute H = 24

24 = 30 sin θ

Then, Divide both sides by 30

sin θ = 24 / 30

sin θ = 0.8

And finally, find the principal-value angle whose sine is 24/30

To isolate θ, we apply the inverse sine function:

θ = arcsin(24/30)

Submit

10) A hillside's elevation is y = 250 + 40 sin(0.1x). If y = 270, find 0.1x in [−π/2, π/2].

Explanation

The formula is: y = 250 + 40 sin(0.1x)

So, first Substitute y = 270

270 = 250 + 40 sin(0.1x)

Then, Subtract 250 from both sides

20 = 40 sin(0.1x)

Next, Divide both sides by 40

sin(0.1x) = 20 / 40

sin(0.1x) = 1/2

And finally, find the principal-value angle whose sine is 1/2

The principal range for arcsin is:

−π/2 ≤ 0.1x ≤ π/2

In this interval, the angle with sin(0.1x) = 1/2 is:

0.1x = arcsin(1/2)

Since 1/2 = 20/40, this matches:

0.1x = arcsin(20/40)

Submit

11) A radio antenna 10 m long deflects 1.2 m horizontally. If sin θ = 1.2/10, find θ in radians.

Explanation

We know the relationship is: sin θ = opposite / hypotenuse

So, first write the ratio:

sin θ = 1.2 / 10

Then, simplify the fraction:

sin θ = 0.12

And finally, solve for the angle using the inverse sine:

θ = arcsin(0.12)

This gives an angle θ that is approximately 0.12 radians.

Submit

12) A signal is y = 3.5 sin(ωt). If y = 3.5 and ωt ∈ [−π/2, π/2], find ωt.

Explanation

The formula is: y = 3.5 sin(ωt)

So, first substitute y = 3.5:

3.5 = 3.5 sin(ωt)

Then, divide both sides by 3.5:

sin(ωt) = 1

And finally, find the angle (in the principal range) whose sine is 1:

The principal range is: −π/2 ≤ ωt ≤ π/2.

In this interval, the angle with sine 1 is:

ωt = π/2

Submit

13) For sin θ = −1/2 with θ in the principal range, find θ.

Explanation

We know a basic reference fact: sin(π/6) = 1/2

To get a negative sine value, the angle must be below the x-axis, so we take the negative of π/6:

θ = −π/6

The principal range for arcsin is:

−π/2 ≤ θ ≤ π/2

Since −π/6 lies in this interval and sin(−π/6) = −1/2, the correct principal value is:

θ = −π/6

Submit

14) A ladder leans against a wall making angle θ with the ground. If top reaches 7.5 m and ladder is 12 m, find θ in radians.

Explanation

We use the definition of sine in a right triangle: sin θ = opposite / hypotenuse

Here, the opposite side is 7.5 m (height on the wall), and the hypotenuse is 12 m (ladder length).

So, first write: sin θ = 7.5 /12

Then, solve for θ using the inverse sine:

θ = arcsin(7.5 /12)

This expression gives the angle θ in radians.

Submit

15) The equation p(t) = 0.8 sin(ωt). If p(t) = −0.4, find ωt.

Explanation

The formula is: p(t) = 0.8 sin(ωt)

So, first substitute p(t) = −0.4:

−0.4 = 0.8 sin(ωt)

Then, divide both sides by 0.8:

sin(ωt) = −0.4 / 0.8

sin(ωt) = −1/2

And finally, find the principal-value angle whose sine is −1/2:

ωt = arcsin(−1/2)

We know sin(−π/6) = −1/2 and −π/6 lies in [−π/2, π/2], so:

ωt = −π/6

So ωt = arcsin(−1/2) gives the correct principal value.

Submit

16) A Ferris wheel has h = 18 + 15 sin θ. If h = 30, find θ.

Explanation

The formula is: h = 18 + 15 sin θ

So, first substitute h = 30:

30 = 18 + 15 sin θ

Then, subtract 18 from both sides:

12 = 15 sin θ

Next, divide both sides by 15:

sin θ = 12 / 15

sin θ = 4/5

And finally, solve for θ:

θ = arcsin(4/5)

Submit

17) A drone ascends at angle θ above horizontal. It gains 90 m altitude over 120 m horizontal. Find θ to nearest degree.

Explanation

We can form a right triangle with:

vertical (opposite) = 90 m

horizontal (adjacent) = 120 m

First, find the hypotenuse using Pythagoras:

hypotenuse = √(90² + 120²) = √(8100 + 14400) = √22500 = 150

Then, use the sine ratio:

sin θ = opposite / hypotenuse = 90 / 150

Simplify:

sin θ = 0.6

Now find the angle whose sine is 0.6:

θ = arcsin(0.6) ≈ 36.9°

Rounded to the nearest degree:

θ ≈ 37°

Submit

18) An incline has slope 1:12 (rise:run). Find maximum angle θ in degrees.

Explanation

The slope 1:12 means: rise = 1, run = 12

We can model this with a right triangle where:

opposite = 1

hypotenuse is approximately 12 for small angles, or we use the approximation sin θ ≈ rise/run for gentle slopes.

So we take:

sin θ ≈ 1 / 12 ≈ 0.0833

Then find the angle whose sine is 0.0833:

θ = arcsin(1/12) ≈ 4.78°

Rounded to the nearest tenth:

θ ≈ 4.8°

Submit

19) A wheel of radius 2 m rotates so h = 2 + 2 sin θ. If h = 3, find θ.

Explanation

The formula is: h = 2 + 2 sin θ

So, first substitute h = 3:

3 = 2 + 2 sin θ

Then, subtract 2 from both sides:

1 = 2 sin θ

Next, divide both sides by 2:

sin θ = 1 / 2

And finally, solve for θ:

θ = arcsin(1/2)

Submit

20) A ramp rises 24 inches over 60 inches horizontally. Which expression gives θ in radians?

Explanation

We interpret rise and run as sides of a right triangle: rise (opposite) = 24

hypotenuse is determined by the slope, but for the angle θ we use:

sin θ = opposite / hypotenuse

However, in many ramp problems, we model sin θ using rise over the length directly; here, the intended relationship is:

sin θ = 24 / 60 = 0.4

So, solve for θ:

θ = arcsin(24 / 60)

Submit
×
Saved
Thank you for your feedback!
View My Results
Cierra Henderson |MBA |
K-12 Expert
Cierra is an educational consultant and curriculum developer who has worked with students in K-12 for a variety of subjects including English and Math as well as test prep. She specializes in one-on-one support for students especially those with learning differences. She holds an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a certificate in educational consulting from UC Irvine.
Cancel
  • All
    All (20)
  • Unanswered
    Unanswered ()
  • Answered
    Answered ()
A cable exerts tension T = 800 N at angle θ, producing a...
The vertical displacement of a roller-coaster car is s = 5 sin...
A boat moves along a wave modeled by y = 2 sin(kx). If y = −1...
A skateboarder launches off a ramp at angle θ. If vᵧ = v sin...
A surfer's ramp angle satisfies sin θ = 1/2. What is θ?
A buoy's height is h = 1.2 + 0.8 sin(kt). If h = 1.2, find kt.
A pendulum's displacement is y = 0.12 sin(ωt). At time t₀, y =...
A ship's sonar measures angle of elevation 18°. sin(18°) =...
A stage light shines on a wall 30 m away. The height on the wall is H...
A hillside's elevation is y = 250 + 40 sin(0.1x). If y = 270, find...
A radio antenna 10 m long deflects 1.2 m horizontally. If sin θ...
A signal is y = 3.5 sin(ωt). If y = 3.5 and ωt ∈...
For sin θ = −1/2 with θ in the principal range, find...
A ladder leans against a wall making angle θ with the ground. If...
The equation p(t) = 0.8 sin(ωt). If p(t) = −0.4, find...
A Ferris wheel has h = 18 + 15 sin θ. If h = 30, find θ.
A drone ascends at angle θ above horizontal. It gains 90 m...
An incline has slope 1:12 (rise:run). Find maximum angle θ in...
A wheel of radius 2 m rotates so h = 2 + 2 sin θ. If h = 3, find...
A ramp rises 24 inches over 60 inches horizontally. Which expression...
play-Mute sad happy unanswered_answer up-hover down-hover success oval cancel Check box square blue
Alert!