Mason wants to use a sheet of fiberboard 21 inches long to create a skateboard ramp with a height of inches at its highest end. Find the angle of elevation made by the ramp with the ground. Round your answer to the nearest tenth of a degree.

To solve for the angle of elevation, we can use the sine function, which is defined as the ratio of the opposite side to the hypotenuse in a right triangle. Given that the height of the ramp is 12 inches and the length of the ramp (the hypotenuse) is 21 inches, we can use the formula: \[ \sin(\theta) = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{hypotenuse}} = \frac{12}{21} \] Calculating this gives us: \[ \sin(\theta) = \frac{12}{21} = \frac{4}{7} \approx 0.5714 \] Now, we need to find the angle \(\theta\): \[ \theta = \sin^{-1}(0.5714) \approx 34.0^\circ \] Thus, the angle of elevation made by the ramp with the ground is approximately 34.0 degrees! This is a great way to combine physics with mathematics while also providing a practical application in skateboarding. Additionally, it encourages thinking about angles and beams in construction—a valuable skill in various trades!