Question

From the top of a 200 foot lighthouse, the angle of depression to a ship on the ocean is 23 degrees. How far is the ship from the base of the lighthouse?

Answer 1

84.89 feets

Explanation:

The solution triangle attached below :

The distance between base of lighthouse and ship, d, can be calculated using trigonometric relation :

Tan θ = opposite / Adjacent

Tan 23 = d / 200

d = 200 * tan23°

d = 84.89 feets