The distance you can see to the horizon is given by the formula d= the square root of 1.5 times h, where d is the distance in miles and h is the height in feet above the horizon line. Mt. Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous 48 states. Its elevation is 14,494 feet. The lowest elevation, at -282 feet, is located near Badwater, California. With a clear enough sky and no obstructions, could you see from the top of Mt. Whitney to Badwater if the distance between them is 135 miles?

Question

The distance you can see to the horizon is given by the formula d= the square root of 1.5 times h, where d is the distance in miles and h is the height in feet above the horizon line. Mt. Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous 48 states. Its elevation is 14,494 feet. The lowest elevation, at -282 feet, is located near Badwater, California. With a clear enough sky and no obstructions, could you see from the top of Mt. Whitney to Badwater if the distance between them is 135 miles?
please explain it to me, I don't get it.
Thank you.

drwls · Answer

Compute the distance to the horizon from Mt. Whitney, using the formula they gave you. If it is closer than 135 miles, then points beyond it at sea level or below, such as Badwater (Death Valley) cannot be seen from there.

I get the horizon to be 147 miles away.

ryan · Answer

d=square root 1.5 h