An airplane is flying at an elevation of 5150 ft, directly above a straight highway. Two motorists are driving cars on the highway on opposite sides of the plane, and the angle of depression to one car is 35° and to the other is 55°. How far apart are the cars? (Round your answer to the nearest foot.)

Answer 1

Did you make a sketch?
According to mine

distance of first car:
tan 35 = 5150/x
x = 5150/tan35
distance for 2nd car:
tan 55 = 5150/y
y = 5150/tan55

total distance between two cars
= x + y
= 5150/tan35 + 5150/tan55 = appr 10961 feet