Angle of depression - GCSE Maths Definition

The angle of depression is a concept commonly encountered in trigonometry, specifically in problems involving right-angled triangles. It describes the angle formed between the horizontal line of sight and the line of sight downwards to an object below the horizontal level. To visualise it, consider standing on a cliff and looking down at a boat on the sea; the angle your line of sight makes with the horizontal eye-level line is the angle of depression. This angle is crucial when calculating distances or heights indirectly, as it is often used with the tangent ratio in trigonometric calculations. Understanding how to work with the angle of depression can help in solving various real-world problems that involve indirect measurement.