Question

A boat captain can see a lighthouse on the shore which is 103ft in front of him. If the lighthouse is 22ft tall, at what angle of elevation can the captain see the top of the lighthouse? options: 45° 12° 77° 11°

Answer 1

• 21°

Explanation:

A boat captain, lighthouse and its base form a right triangle.

We need to find the angle opposite to 22 ft side:

• tan x = 22/103
• x = arctan (22/103)
• x = 21°

Note, option D should read 21° not 11°