Question
A person sitting on a boat is situated 2m above sea level. They note that a straight line from themselves to the top most point of a nearby lighthouse is 16 degrees. After travelling a further 50m directly away from the lighthouse this angle has decreased to 12 degrees.
How high is the topmost point of the lighthouse above sea level?
How high is the topmost point of the lighthouse above sea level?
Answers
Steve
Just figure the height above the people, and then add 2 meters.
Draw a diagram, and it will be clear that if h is the height above the boaters,
h cot12° - h cot16° = 50
Draw a diagram, and it will be clear that if h is the height above the boaters,
h cot12° - h cot16° = 50