Suppose the closer point is at distance x. Then you have
h/x = tan 20°
h/(x+25) = tan 12°
eliminate x and you have
h/tan20° = h/tan12° - 25
h = 25/(cot12°-cot25°) = 12.774
The angle of elevation to the top of a building from a point on the ground 20 degrees and the angle of elevation from a point 25 feet farther away is 12 degrees. Find the height of the building.
How would I begin to solve this problem? I do not know what I'm doing wrong, my answer keeps on ending up to be -8.476 when it's supposed to be 12.774
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