Question

From the observation deck of a skyscraper, Aaliyah measures a 67, degrees67
∘
angle of depression to a ship in the harbor below. If the observation deck is 883883 feet high, what is the horizontal distance from the base of the skyscraper out to the ship? Round your answer to the nearest tenth of a foot if necessary.

Answer 1

Angle of depression = angle of elevation, so in the right triangle tan(67°) = opposite/adjacent = 883 / d. Thus

d = 883 / tan(67°) ≈ 883 / 2.355852 ≈ 374.8 feet.

Horizontal distance ≈ 374.8 ft.