A pilot of a small plane was flying over an oil spill at an altitude of 10,000 feet. He found that the near edge of the spill had an angle of depression of 58 degrees and the far edge of the spill had an angle of depression of 44 degrees. What is the width of the spill?

Question

A pilot of a small plane was flying over an oil spill at an altitude of 10,000 feet.  He found that the near edge of the spill had an angle of depression of 58 degrees and the far edge of the spill had an angle of depression of 44 degrees.  What is the width of the spill?

Steve · Answer

review the definition of cotθ. Draw a diagram, and it is clear that the width w is given by w = 10000(cot44°-cot58°)