a space shuttle pilot flying toward the suez canal finds that the angle of depression on one end of the canal is 38.5 degree and the angle of depression to the other end is 52.75 degree. if the canal is 100.6 mi long, find the altitude of the space shuttle.

Answer 1

If the height is h, and the near end of the canal is x,

h/x = tan 52.75°
h/(x+100.6) = tan 38.5°
equating the two values for x, we have

h/tan52.75° = h/tan38.5° - 100.6
h/1.315 = h/0.795 - 100.6
h = 202.25