Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that studies triangles and the relationships between sides and angles. It uses trigonometric ratios to calculate heights, distances, and other measurements that cannot be directly observed. The angle of elevation is formed between an observer's line of sight and the horizontal when looking up at an object. The angle of depression is formed when an observer looks down, between the line of sight and the horizontal. Both can be used with trigonometric functions to determine unknown measurements.