The diagram above shows a vertical cross-section through some strata,
showing that the width (W) of the middle layer, as measured on the upper
surface, is not the true width of the layer, T.
In order to
calculate the true width, we need to know the dip of the layer, that is
the angle q. Then we can use the value of W and
the angle q to find the value
of T, using the trig functions.
To find out about these trig functions go into the MathHelp notebook on trigonometry. At the end of the notebook, you'll have the opportunity to see this example problem solved.