Question

form a height of 38 meters above sea level, two ships are sighted due west. the angles of depression are 53 degrees and 28 degrees. how far apart are the ships?

Answer 1

d(apart are the ships)=42.8 meters

Explanation:

Given data

h (height)=38m

Ф₁=53°

Ф₂=28°

d(how far apart are the ships)=?

Solution

d₅₃°(distance to ship at 53°)=h/tanФ₁

d₅₃°=38/tan(53°)

d₅₃°=28.6m

now

d₂₈°(distance to ship at 28°)=h/tanФ₂

d₂₈°=38/tan(28°)

d₂₈°=71.4m

d(apart are the ships)=d₂₈°-d₅₃°

d(apart are the ships)=71.4-28.6

d(apart are the ships)=42.8 meters