Question

From the top of a cliff 8 metres high,two boats are seen in a direction due West. Find the distance between the boats if their angles of depression from the top of a cliff are 45 degrees and 30 degrees. Find also the actual distance the further boat from the top of the cliff.​

Answer 1

Distance of first boat = 8 meter

Distance of second boat = 13.87 meter (Approx.)

Explanation:

Given:

Height of cliff = 8 meter

Angle of depression respectively = 45° and 30°

Find:

Distance of boats

Computation:

Tanθ = Perpendicular / Base

Tan45 = 8 / Distance of first boat

1 = 8 / Distance of first boat

Distance of first boat = 8 meter

Tan30 = 8 / Distance of second boat

0.577 = 8 / Distance of second boat

Distance of second boat = 8 / 0.577

Distance of second boat = 13.8648

Distance of second boat = 13.87 meter (Approx.)