A ranger spots a forest fire while on a 45-meter observation tower. The angle of depression from the tower to the fire is 12°. To the nearest meter, how far is the fire from the base of the tower?%0D%0A(1 point)

Answer 1

The distance from the base of the tower to the fire can be calculated using trigonometry.

Given:
- Height of observation tower = 45 meters
- Angle of depression = 12°

Let x be the distance from the base of the tower to the fire.

Using the tangent function:
tan(12°) = Opposite/Adjacent
tan(12°) = 45/x

Solving for x:
x = 45/tan(12°)
x ≈ 225.34

Therefore, the fire is approximately 225 meters from the base of the tower.