Question

The angle of elevation from Nathan to a lighthouse is 74°.

If the lighthouse is 112 feet tall, how far is Nathan from the
base of the lighthouse?

Answer 1

Nathan is 36.3910059 ft from the base of the lighthouse.

Explanation:

So to find the base, you have to find the tan (both legs) of the right triangle that the lighthouse makes. The angle of Nathan to the lighthouse is 74° so to find the distances, you have to do the tan(72) = opp/adj

The opposite is 112, and we have to find the adjacent.

tan(72) = 112/adj

3.07768354 = 112/adj

adj = 112/3.07768354

adj = 36.3910059