Elevation

In trigonometry and surveying, the angle of elevation is the angle formed between the horizontal line of sight and the line of sight looking upward towards an object.

Example

If an observer is looking up at the top of a flagpole, the angle formed between their horizontal eye level and the line pointing to the top of the pole is the angle of elevation $\theta$. Using a right-angled triangle, $\tan(\theta) = \frac{\text{height}}{\text{horizontal distance}}$.

See Also

• Depression
• Trigonometric Ratios
• Right Angled Triangle