The angle of depression from a hot air ballon in the air to a person on the ground is 36 degrees. If the person steps back 10ft the new angle of depression is 25 degrees. If the person is 6ft tall, how far off the ground is the hot air ballon?

Answer 1

add six feet at the end

tan 25 = h/(x+10)
tan 36 = h/x

h = (x+10)(.466)
h = x(.727)
so
.727 x = .466 x + 4.66
.261 x = 4.66
x = 17.9 ft
so
h = .727 (17.9) = 13
13 + 6 = 19 ft