Question

PLEASE HELP!!! If the height of the lighthouse is 53 meters and the angle of elevation is 47°, which of the following may be used to find the distance, z, between the boat and the base of the lighthouse?

Answer 1

• H=53
• theta=47°

`\\ \tt\hookrightarrow tan47=(H)/(B)`

`\\ \tt\hookrightarrow tan47=(53)/(B)`

`\\ \tt\hookrightarrow B=(53)/(tan47)`

Answer 2

tan(47)=53/z

Explanation:

Using trig ratio tan(x)=O/A

there x is the angle of elevation, O is the side opposite the angle (the lighthouse) and A is the side adjacent the angle (distance between boat and bottom of lighthouse)

Therefore, tan(47)=53/z