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From the observation deck of a lighthouse 70 meters above sea level, the lighthouse keeper can see a fishing boat at a 25 degree angle of depression.What is the horizontal distance, to the nearest meter, from thebase of the lighthouse to the fishing boat?

User Vfilby
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1 Answer

12 votes

Answer:

150.12

Explanation:

From the observation deck of a lighthouse 70 meters above sea level, the lighthouse keeper can see a fishing boat at a 25 degree angle of depression.What is the horizontal distance, to the nearest meter, from the base of the lighthouse to the fishing boat?

We solve the above question using the Trigonometric function of tan

tan y = Opposite /Adjacent

y = 25°

Opposite = 70m

Adjacent = x = Horizontal distance

Therefore:

tan 25 = 70m/x

tan 25 × x = 70m

x = 70m/tan 25

x = 150.11548444m

Approximately = 150.12m

The horizontal distance, to the nearest meter, from the base of the lighthouse to the fishing boat is 150.12m

User Ryan Yuan
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