12

SOME APPLICATION OF TRIGONOMETRY

12.1 INTRODUCTION

In this chapter, we shall be applying the trigonometric results to discuss problems

regarding heights and distances. We begin by defining some terms which will be
used in this chapter.

12.2 ANGLES OF ELEVATION AND DEPRESSION

Let O and P be two points such that the point P is a t higher level. Let OA and PB
be horizontal lines through 0 and P respectively.

If an observer is at O and the point P is the object

under consideration, then the line OP is called the

line of sight of the point P and the angle AOP, between

the line of sight and the horizontal line OA, is known

as the angle of elevation of point P as seen from O.

If an observer is at P and the object tinder consider−¿

ation is at O, then the angle BPO is known as the

angle of depression of O as seen from P.

Obviously, the angle of elevation of a point P as seen

from a point O is equal to the angle of depression of O

as seen from P.
 ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE 1 A tower is 100√ 3 metres high. Find the angle of elevation if its top
from a point 100 metres away from its foot.

SOLUTION Let AB be the tower of height 100√ 3 metres, and let C be a point at a
distance of 100 metres from the foot of the tower.

Let θ be the angle of elevation of the top of the tower from

point C.

Clearly, in ∆ CAB the lengths of base AC and perpendicular

AB are known. So, we will use the trigonometric ratio

containing base and perpendicular. Such a ratio is tangent.

Taking tangent of angle ∠ACB in ∆ CAB, we have

AB
tanθ=
AC

⟹ ¿ = √3
100 √ 3
tanθ=¿
100

⟹ tanθ = tan60 °

⟹ θ = 60°

Hence, the angle of elevation of the top of the tower from a point
100 metres away from its foot is 60°

EXAMPLE 2 The angle of elevation of the top of a tower from a

point on the ground, which is 30m . away from the foot of the
tower is 30°. Find the height of the tower.
SOLUTION Let AB be the tower of height h meters and C be a
point on the ground such that the angle of elevation of the top A
of tower AB is of 30°.

In ∆ ABC, we are given ∠C = 30° and Base BC = 30 m and we

have to find perpendicular AB So, we use that trigonometrical
ratios which contains base and perpendicular. Clearly such ratio
is tangent. So, we take tangent of ∠C.

In ∆ ABC, taking tangent of ∠C, we have,

tan C = BC
AB

⟹ tan 30° = BC
AB

⟹ =
1 h
√3 30

⟹ h = 3 metres = 10√ 3 metres

30
√
Hence, the height of the tower is 10√ 3 metres.

EXAMPLE 3 A kite is flying at a height of 60m in above the

ground. The string attached to the kite is temporarily tied to a
point on the ground. The inclination of the string with the ground
is 60°. Find the length of the string assuming that there is no
slack in the string.

SOLUTION Let A be the kite and CA be the string attached to the

kite such that its one end is tied to a point C on the ground. The
inclination of the string CA with the ground is 60°.

In ∆ ABC, we are given that ∠C = 60° and perpendicular AB = 60

m and we have to find hypotenuse AC. So, we use the
trigonometric ratio involving perpendicular and hypotenuse.
Clearly, such ratio is sine. So, we take sine of angle C.
In ∆ ABC, we have

sin C = AC
AB

⟹ sin 60 ° =
AB
AC

⟹ = AC
√3 60
2

⟹ AC = = 40√ 3m.
120
√3

Hence, the length of the string is 40√ 3m

EXAMPLE 4 The string of a kite is 100 metres long and it makes

an angles of 60° with the horizontal. Find the height of the kite,
assuming that there is no slack in the string.

SOLUTION Let OA be the horizontal ground, and let K be the

position of the kite at a height h above the ground. Then, AK = h.

It is given that OK =100 metres and ∠ AOK = 60° .

Thus, in ∆ OAK, we have hypotenuse OK = 100 m and ∠ AOK =

60° and we wish to finc the perpendicular AK. So, we use the
trigonometric ratio involving perpendicular and hypotenuse.
Clearly, sine is such a ratio. So, we take the sine of ∠ AOK in ∆
OAK.

In ∆ AOK, we have
AK
sin 60 °=
OK

⟹
h
sin 60 °=
100

⟹ h = 100 sin 60°

⟹ h = 100 2 = 50√ 3 = 86.60 metres.
√3

Hence, the height of the kite is 86.60 metres.

EXAMPLE 5 A circus artist is climbing from the ground along a

rope stretched from the top of a vertical pole and tied at the
ground. The height of the pole is 12m and the angle made by the
rope with ground level is 30°. Calculate the distance covered by
the artist in climbing to the top of the pole.

SOLUTION Clearly, distance covered by the artist is equal to the

length of the rope AC. Let AB be the vertical pole of height 12 m.

It is given that ∠ACB = 30° .

Thus, in right-angled triangle ABC, we have

Perpendicular AB = 12 m, ∠ ACB = 30° and we

wish to find hypotenuse AC.

∴ sin 30° = AC
AB

⟹
1 12
=
2 AC

⟹ AC = 24m

Hence, the distance covered by the circus artist is 24 m.

EXAMPLE 6 A circus artist is climbing a 20m in long rope, which

is tightly stretched and tied from the top of a vertical pole to the
ground. Find the height of the pole if the angle made by the rope
with the ground level is 30°.

SOLUTION Let AB be the vertical pole and CA be the

20 m long rope such that its one end is tied from the

top of the vertical pole AB and the other end C is tied

to a point C on the ground.

In ∆ ABC , we have AB
AB
sin 30 °=
AC

⟹
1 AB
=
2 AC

⟹ AB = 10m.

Hence, the height of the pole is 10 m.

EXAMPLE 7 A bridge across a river makes an angle of 45° with

the river bank as shown in Fig. 12.8. If the length of the bridge
across the river is 150m in, what is the width of the river?

SOLUTION In right triangle ABC, we have

sin 45°= AC
BC

⟹
1 BC
=
√2 150

⟹ BC =
150
√2
⟹ BC = 75√ 2m

Hence, the width of the river is 75√ 2 metres.

EXAMPLE 8 An observer 1.5m tall is 28.5 in away from a tower.

The angle of elevation of the top of the tower from her eyes is
45°. What is the height of the tower?

SOLUTION Let AB be the tower of height h and CD be the

observer of height 1.5 m at a distance of 28.5 m from the tower
AB.
In ∆ AED, we have

Tan 45° DE
AE

⟹ 1 = 28.5
AE

⟹ AE = 28.5m

∴ h = AE +BE = AE +DC

=(28.5+1.5)m=30m

Hence, the height of the tower is 30 m.

EXAMPLE 9 An electrician has to repair an electric fault on a

pole of height 4 m. He needs to reach a point 1.3m below the top
of the pole to undertake the repair work. What should be the
length of the ladder that lie should use which when inclined at an
angle of 60° to the horizontal would enable him to reach the
required position?

SOLUTION Let AC be the electricpole of height 4 m. Let B he a

point 1.3 m below the top A of the pole AC.

Then, BC = AC — AB = (4 — 1.3) m = 2.7 m

Let BD be the ladder inclined at an angle of 60° to the horizontal.

In ABCD, we have
BC
sin 60 °=
BD

⟹
√3 = 2.7 ⌊ ∵ BC =2.7 m ⌋
2 BD

⟹ BD = m = m = m
2× 2.7 5.4 5.4 × √ 3
√3 √3 3
⟹ BD = (1.8)√ 3m = 5 √ 3m
9

Hence, the length of the ladder should be 5 m

9 √3

EXAMPLE 10 From a point on the ground 40 m away front the

foot of a tower, the angle of elevation of the top of the tower is
30°. The angle of elevation of the top of a water tank (on the top
of the tower) is 45°. Find the (i) height of the tower (ii) the depth
of the tank.

SOLUTION Let BC be the tower of height h metre and CD be the

water tank of height h1 metre. Let A be a point on the ground at a
distance of 40 m away from the foot B of the tower.

In ∆ ABD, we have
BD
tan 45 °
AB

⟹1=
h+h1
40

⟹ h +h1 =40 m ….(i)

In ∆ ABC, we have
BC
tan30 °=
AB

⟹
1 h
=
√3 40

⟹ h= m= √ m = 23.1m
40 40 3
√3 3

Substituting the value of h in (i), we have

23.1 +h1 = 40

⟹ h1= (40−23.1 ¿ m=16.9 m

Hence, the height of the tower is h = 23.1 m and the depth of the
tank is h1 = 16.9 m.

EXAMPLE 11 A person, standing on the bank of a river, observes

that the angle subtended by a tree on the opposite bank is 60°.
When he retreates 20m from the bank, he finds the angle to be
30°. Find the height of the tree and the breadth of the river.

SOLUTION Let AB be the width of the river and BC be the tree

which makes an angle of 60° at a point A on the opposite bank.
Let D be the position of the person after retreating 20 m from the
bank. Let AB = x metres and BC = h metres. From right angled
triangles ABC and DBC, we have

tan 60° = AB ∧tan 30 °= DB

BC BC

⟹ √ 3 = x and 3 = x +20
h 1 h
√

⟹ h = x√ 3and h =
x+20
√3

⟹ x√ 3 =
x+20
√3
⟹ 3x = x + 20

⟹ x = 10m

Putting x = 10 in h = √ 3 x, we get

h = 10√ 3 = 17.32 m

Hence, height of the tree is 17.32 m and the breadth of the river
is 10 m.

EXAMPLE 12 A vertical tower stands on a horizontal plane and is

surmounted by a vertical flag-staff of height h. At a point on the
plane, the angles of elevation of the bottom and the top of the
flag staff are a and respectively. Prove that the height of the
tower is tan B−tan a .
h tan a

SOLUTION Let AB be the tower and BC be the flag-staff. Let O

be a point on the plane containing the foot of the tower such that
the angles of elevation of the bottom B and top C of the flag-staff
at O area a and B respectively. Let OA = x metres, AB = y
metres and BC = h metres. In ∆ OAB, we have
AB
tan α =
OA

⟹
y
tan α =
x

⟹ x = tan α ….(i)
x

⟹ x = y cot α

In ∆ OAC, we have
y+ h
tan β =
tan β

⟹ x = (y + h) cot β
...(ii)

On equating the value of x given in equation (i) and (ii), we get

⟹ y cot α = (y + h) cot β

⟹ (y cot – y cot β ) = h cot β

⟹ y(cot α −cotβ ¿=h cot β

⟹ y = cotα−cotβ
hcotβ
 h

⟹ y=
tan β h tan α
=
1 1 tan β−tan α
−
tan α tan β

Hence, the height of the tower is tan β−tan α

h tan α

EXAMPLES 13 A tree 12 m high, is broken by the wind in such a

way that its top touches the ground and makes an angles 60°
with the ground. At what height from the bottom the tree is
broken by the wind?

SOLUTION Let AB be the tree of height 12 metres. Suppose the

tree is broken by the wind at point C the part CB assumes the
position CO and meets the ground at O.

Let AC = x . Then, CO = CB = 12−¿x.

It is given that ∠AOC = 60°

In ∆ OAC, we have

sin 60° = OC
AC

⟹
√3 = x
2 12−x

⟹ 12√ 3− √3 x=2 x

⟹ 12√ 3 =x (2+√ 3 )

⟹ x= = =12 √ 3 (2−√ 3)
12 √ 3 12 √ 3 2−√ 3
×
2+ √ 3 2+ √ 3 2−√ 3

⟹ x = 24√ 3−36 = 5.69 metres

 Hence, the tree is broken at a height of 5.569 metres from the
ground.

EXAMPLE 14 A tree is broken by the wind. The top struck the

ground at an angle of 30° and at a distance of 30 metres from the
root. Find the whole height of the tree .

SOLUTION Let AB be the tree broken at a point C such that the

broken part CB takes the position CO and strikes the ground at
O. It is given that OA = 30 metres and ∠AoC = 30°. Let AC = x
and CB = y. Then, CO = y.

In ∆ OAC, we have
AC
tan30 °=
OA

⟹
1 x
=
√3 30

⟹ x = 3 =10 √3
30
√
Again in ∆ OAC, we have

cos 30° . = OC
OA

⟹
√3 = 30
2 y

⟹ y = 3 =20 √3
60
√
∴ Height of the tree = (x + y) metres =

=(10√ 3 20√ 3) metres

= 30√ 3 metres = 30 × 1.732

metres = 51.96metres. EXAMPLE 15 The angles of elevation
torver from two points at distances a and b metres from the base
and in the straight line with it are complementary. Prove that
the height of the tower is √ ab

SOLUTION Let AB be the tower. Let C and D be two points at

distances a and b respectively from the base of the tower. Then,
AC = a and AD =b. Let ∠ACE = θ and ∠ADE 90°−θ .

Let h be the height of the tower AB.

In ∆ CAB , we have
AB
tanθ=
AC

⟹ tanθ = …(i)
h
a

In ∆ DAB, we have
AB
tan ( 90° −θ )=
AD

⟹ …(ii)
h
cot θ=
b

From(i) and (ii), we have

2
h
tanθ × cot θ=
ab

⟹ 1 = ⟹ h 2= ab ⟹h = √ ab metres.
2
h
ab

Hence, the height of the tower is √ ab metres

ECAMPLE 16 At a point a on level ground, the angle of elevation

of vertical tower is found to be such that its tangent is 5/12. On
walking 192 metres towards the tower, the tangent of the angle
of elevation is ¾. Find the height of the tower.

SOLUTION Let AB be the tower and let the angle of elevation of

its top at C be α . Let D be a point at a distance of 192 metres
from C such that the angle of elevation of the top of the tower at
D be β .

Let H be the height of the tower and AD = x.

It is given that

and tan β =
5 3
tan α =
12 4

In ∆ CAB, we have

tan α =
AB
AC

⟹
5 h
=
12 x +192

In ∆ DAB, we have
AB
tan β =
AD

⟹
h
tan β =
x

⟹
3 h
=
4 x

We have to find h. This means that we have to eliminate x from

equation (i) and (ii). From equation (ii), we have

3x = 4h ⟹ x = 3
4h

Substituting this value of x in equation (i), we get

5 h
=
12 192+ 4 h/3

⟹ 5 192+ 3 = 12h
( )
4h

⟹ 5 (576+4h) = 36 h
⟹ 2880 + 20h = 36h

⟹ 16h = 2880

⟹ h = 16 = 180
2880

Hence, the height of the tower is 180 metres.

EXAMPLE 17 The shadow of a vertical tower on level ground

increases by 10 metres, when the altitude of the sun change from
angle of elevation 45° to 30° . Find the height of the tower,
correct to one place of decimal. (Take √ 3=1.73)

SOLUTOIN Let AB be the tower and AC and AD be its shadows

when the angle of elevation of the sun are 45° and 30°
respectively. Then, CD = 10 metres Let h be the height of the
tower and let AC = x metres.

In ∆ CAB , we have
AB
tan 45 °=
AC

⟹ 1= x
h

⟹ x=h

In ∆ DAB, we have ….(i)

AB
tan30 °=
AD

⟹ =
1 h
√3 x+10

⟹ x + 10 = √ 3 h …(ii)

Substituting the value of x obtained from equation (i) and (ii),

we get
 h + 10 = √ 3 h

⟹ h (√ 3 −1 ¿ = 10

⟹ h = 3−¿ 1 ¿ = ×√ (
=10 √ ) = 5 (√ 3 + 1)
10 10 3+1 3+1
√ √ 3−1 √ 3+1 2

⟹ h = 5 (1.73 + 1) = 13.65 metres

Hence, the height of the tower is 13.65 metres.

EXAMPLE 18 Front the top of a hill, the angles of depression of

two consecutive kilometre stones due east are found to be 30°
and 45°. Find the height of the hill.

SOLUTION Let AB be the hill of height it km. Let C and D be two

stones due east of the hill at a distance of 1 km from each other
such that the angles of depression of C and D be 45° and 30°
respectively. Let AC = x km .

In A CAB, we have

tan 45° = AC
AB

⟹ 1 = x ⟹ h=x …(i)
h

In ∆ DAB, we have

tan 30° = AD
AB

⟹
1 h
=
√3 +1x

⟹ √3 h = x + 1 …(ii)

Substituting the value of x from equation (i) in equation (ii), we

get

√3 h = h + 1
⟹ h (√ 3−1 ¿ = 1

⟹ h = √3−1 = ( 3−1 ) ( 3+1)

1 √3+ 1
√ √

⟹ h= =
√3+ 12.73
=1.365
2 2

Hence, the height of the hill is 1.365 km.

EXAMPLE 19 Determine the height of a Mountain if the elevation

of its top at an unknown distant from the base is 30° and at a
distance 10 km further off from the mountain, along the same
line, the angle of elevation is 15°. (Use tan 15° = 0.27)

SOLUTION Let AB be the mountain of height h kilometres. Let C

be a point at a distance of x km. from the base of the mountain
such that the angle of elevation of the top at C is 30°. Let D be a
point at a distance of 10 km from C such that the angle of
elevation at D is of 15°. In A CAB, we have

In ∆ CAB, we have
AB
tan30 °=
AC

⟹
1 h
=
√3 x
⟹ x = √3 h …(i)

In ∆ DAB, we have
AB
tan15 °=
AD

⟹ 0.27 = x+10
h

⟹ (0.27)(x +10) = h …(ii)

Substituting x = √ 3 h obtained from equation (i) in equation (ii),
we get

0.27(√ 3 h+10 ¿ = h

⟹ 0.27×10=h−0.27 × √ 3 h

⟹ h (1−0.27 × √3 ¿ = 2.7

⟹ h (1−0.46 ¿=2.7

⟹ h = 0.54 =5
2.7

Hence, the height of the mountain is 5km.

EXAMPLE 20 A person standing on the bank of a river observes

that the angle of elevation of the top of a tree standing on the
opposite bank is 60° . When he moves 40 metres away from the
bank, he finds the angle of elevation to be 30° . Find the height of
the tree and the width of the river.

SOLUTION Let AB be the tree of height h metres standing on the

bank of a river . Let C be the position of a man standing on the
opposite bank of the river such that BC = x metres. Let D be the
new position of the man. It is given CD = 40 metres and the
angles of elevation of the top of the tree C and D are 60 ° and 30°
respectively i.e., ∠ACB = 60° and ∠ADB = 30° .

In ∆ CBA, we have
AB
tan60 ° =
BC

⟹
h
tan60 ° =
x

⟹
h
√ 3=
x
⟹ x= 3 ….(i)
h
√
In ∆ DBA, we have
AB
tan30 °=
BD

⟹
1 h
=
√3 x +40
⟹
…(ii)
√ 3 h=x + 40

Substituting x = 3 obtained from equation (i) in equation (ii), we

h

get
√

h
√ 3 h= + 40
√3

⟹
h
√ 3 h− =40
√3

⟹ 40 ⟹ h=20 √ 3 = 20×1.73=34.64 metres

3 h−h 2h
=40 ⟹
√3 √3

Substituting h in equation (i), we get x = = 20 metres

20 √ 3
√3
Hence, the height of the tree is 3.46metres and wifth of the river
is 20 metre.

EXAMPLE 21 Two stations due south of a leaning tower which

leans towards the north are at distance a and a b from its foot. If
α , β be the elevations of the top of the tower from these stations,
prove that its inculination θ to the horizontal is given by

cot θ =
b cot α −a cot b
b−a
SOLUTION Let AB be the leaning tower and let C and D be two
given station at distances a and b respectively from foot A of the
tower

Let AE = x and BE = h

In ∆ AEB, we have
BE
tanθ=
AE

⟹
h
tanθ=
x

⟹ x = h cot θ ...(i)

In ∆ CEB, we have
BE
tan α =
CE

⟹
h
tan α =
a+x

⟹ a + x = hcot α

⟹ x = h cot α −a
…(ii)

In ∆ DEB, we have
BE
tan β =
DE

⟹
h
tan β =
b+ x

⟹ b + x = hcot β

⟹ x = h cot β−b
…(iii)
On equation the value of x obtained from equations (i) and (ii),
we have

hcot θ=h cot α −a

⟹ h(cot α −cot θ ¿=a ¿

⟹ h = cot α −cot θ
a

….(iv)

On equation the value of x obtained from equation (i) and (ii), we

get

hcot θ=h cot β−b

⟹ h(cot β−cot θ ¿=b ¿

⟹ h = cot β−cot θ
b

….(iv)

Equating the value of h from equation (iv) and (v), we get

a b
=
cot α −cot θ cot β−cot θ

⟹ a(cot β−a cotθ ¿=¿ ¿

⟹ (b−a ¿ cot θ=b cot α −a cot β

⟹
b cot α −a cot β
cot θ=
b−a

EXAMPLE 22 An aeroplane at an altitude of 1200 metres finds

that two ships are sailing towards it in the same direction. The
angles of depression of the ships as observed from the aeroplane
are 60° and 30° respectively. Find the distance between the two
ships.

SOLUTION Let the aeroplane be at B and Let the two ships be at

C and D suc
That their angles of depression from B are 30° and 60°
respectively.

We have, AB =1200 metres . Let AC = x and CD = y.

In ∆ CAB, we have
AB
tan60 ° =
CA

⟹
1200
√ 3=
X

⟹ x=
1200
=400 √ 3
√3
In ∆ BAD , we have
AB
tan30 °=
AD

⟹
1 1200
=
√3 x + y
⟹ x + y = 1200√ 3

⟹ y = 1200 √ 3−x

⟹ y 1200 √ 3−400 √3=800 √ 3=800 × 1.732=1385.6

Hence, the distance between the two ships is 1385.6 metres.

EXAMPLE 23 A man on the top of a vertical tower observes a car

moving at a uniform speed coming directly towards it. If I takes
12 minutes for the angle of depression to changes from 30° to 45°
, how soon after this, will the car reach the tower? Give your
answer to the nearest second.

SOLUTION Let AB be the tower of height h metres. Let C be the

initial position of the car and let after 12 minutes the car be at D.
It is given that the angles of depression at C and D are 30° and
45° respectively.
Let the speed of the car be v metre per minute . Then,

CD = Distance travelled by the car in 12 minutes.

⟹ CD = 12 v metres
⌊ ∵ Distance=Speed ××⌋

Suppose the car takes t minutes to reach the tower AB from D.

Then, DA = vt metres.

In ∆ DAB , we have
AB
tan 45 °=
AD

⟹ 1 = vt
h

⟹ h = vt …(i)

In ∆ CAB, we have
AB
tan30 °=
AC

⟹
1 h
=
√3 vt+12 v

√ 3 h=vt+ 12 v …(ii)

Substituting the value of h from equation (i) in equation (ii), we

get

√ 3 vt=vt+12 v

⟹ √ 3 t=t+12
⟹ t(√ 3−1 ¿ = 12

⟹ t = √3−1 = ( 3−1 ) ( 3+1)

12 12 √ 3+1
√ √
⟹ t = 6 (√ 3+1 ¿ = 16.39minutes ⌊ ∵ 0.39 minutes=0.39 ×60 seconds ⌋
Thus, the car will reach the tower from D in 16 minutes and 23
second.

EXAMPLE 24 The shadow of a flag-staff is three as long as the

shadow of the flag-staff when the sun rays meet the ground at
an angle of 60° . Find the angle between the sun rays and the
ground at the time of longer shadow.

SOLUTION Let AB be the flag-staff and let x= AC be the length

of its shadow when the sun rays meet the ground an angle of 60° .
Let θ be the angle between the sun rays and the ground when
the length of the shadow of the flag-staff is AD = 3x. Let h be the
height of the flag-staff.

In ∆ CAB, we have
AB
tan60 ° =
AC

⟹
h
tan60 ° =
x

⟹ √ 3= x ⟹ h=√ 3 x
h

In ∆ DAB , we have
AB
tanθ=
AD

⟹
h
tanθ=
3x

⟹ tanθ=
√3 x ⌊ ∵ h=√ 3 x ⌋
3x

⟹ tanθ =
1
⟹ tan θ=tan 30 °⟹ θ=30 °
√3
Thus, the angle between the sun rays and the ground is 30° at
the time of longer shadow.
EXAMPLES25 An aeroplane at an altitude of 200 metres
observes the angles of depression of opposite points on the two
bank of a river to be 45° and 60° . Find the width of the river.

SOLUTION Let P be the position of the aeroplane and let A and

B be two pints on the two banks of a river such that the angles of
depression at A and B are 45° respectively. Let AM = x metres
and BM = y metres. We have to find AB.

In ∆ AMP, we have
PM
tan60 °
AM

⟹ √ 3= x
200

⟹ 200 = √ 3 x

⟹ x= …(i)
200
√3
In ∆ BMP, we have
PM
tan 45 °=
BM

⟹ 1= y
200

⟹ y=200
…(ii)

From equation (i) and (ii), we get

AB =x + y = ( )+1 =315.4 metres.

200 1
+ 200=200
√3 √3

Hence, the width of the river is 315.4 metres.

EXAMPLES 26 Two Pillars of equal height and on either side of a

road, which is 100m wide. The angles of elevation of the top of
the pillars are 60 ° and 30° at a point on the road between the
pillars. Find the position of the point between the pillars and the
height of each pillar.

SOLUTION Let AB and CD be the pillars, each of height h

metres. Let P be a point on the road such that AP = x metres .
Then, CP = (100−x ¿metres. It is given that∠ APB=60 ° and ∠CPD =
30°

In ∆ PAB , we have
AB
tan60 ° =
AP

⟹
h
√ 3=
x

⟹ h = √3 x …(i)

In ∆ PCD, we have
CD
tan30 °=
PC

⟹
1 h
=
√3 100−x

⟹ h√ 3=100−x …(ii)

Eliminating h between equation (i) and (ii), we get

3x = 100 – x ⟹ 4 x=100 ⟹ x=25

Substituting x = 25 in equation (i), we get

h = 25√ 3 = 25×1.732 = 43.3

Thus, the required point is at a distance of 25 metres from the

first pillar and 75 metres from the second, Pillar. The height of
the pillar is 43.3 metres.
EXAMPLE27 As observed from the top of a light house, 100m
above sea level, the angle of depression of a ship, sailing directly
towards it, changes from 30° to 45° . Determine the distance
travelled by the ship during the period of observation.

SOLUTION Let A and B be the two position of the ship. Let d be

the distance travelled by the ship during the period of
observation i.e. AB = d metres.

Let the observation be at O, the top of the light house PO.

It is given that PO=100 m and the angles of depression from O of

A and B are 30° and 45° respectively.

∴ ∠OAP= 30° and ∠OBP = 45°

In ∆ OPB, we have
OP
tan 45 °=
BP

⟹ 1= BP
100

⟹ BP = 100m

In ∆ OPA, we have

⟹ tan30 ° =
OP
AP

⟹ =
1 100
√3 d +BP

⟹ d + BP = 100√ 3

⟹ d + 100 = 100 √ 3
⌊ ∵ BP=100 m ⌋

⟹ d = 100 √ 3−100

⟹ d = 100(√ 3−1 ¿ = 100(1.732−1 ¿ = 73.2m

Hence, the distance travelled by the ship from A to B is 73.2 m.

EXAMPLE28 The angle of elevation of the top Q of a vertical

tower PQ from a point X on the ground is 60° . At a point Y, 40m
vertically above X, the angle of elevation is 45° . Find the height
of the tower PQ and the distance XQ.

SOLUTION In ∆ YRQ, we have

QR
tan 45 °=
YR

⟹ 1 = YR
x

⟹ YR = x

⟹ XP = x ⌊ ∵YR=XP ⌋

In ∆ XPQ , we have

tan60 ° =
PQ
PX

⟹ √ 3= x
x+ 40
⌊ ∵ PX=x ⌋

⟹ √ 3 x = x + 40
⟹ x (√ 3−1 ¿ = 40

⟹ x= ×√ =20( √ 3+1) = 54.64

40 3+1
√3−1 √ 3+1
So, height of the tower PQ = x + 40 = 54. 64+ 40 = 94.64 metres

In ∆ XPQ , we have
PQ
sin 60 °=
XQ

⟹ = XQ
√3 94.64
2
⟹ XQ =
94.64 ×2
√3

⟹ XQ = = 109.3 metres.
94.64 ×2 ×2 √ 3
3

EXAMPLE 29 From a window 15 metres high above the ground

in a steet, the angles of elevation and depression of the top and
the foot of another house on the opposite side of the street are
30° and 45° respectively show that the height of the opposite
house is 23.66 metres(Take √ 3=1.732)

SOLUTION Let the window be at P at a height of 15 metres

above the ground and CD be the house on the opposite side of
the street such that the angle of devation of the top D of house
CD as seen from P is of 30° and the angle of depression of the
foot C of house CD as seen from P is of 45° .

Let h metres be the height of the house CD.

We have,

QD = CD – CQ = CD – AP = (h −15 ¿ metres .

In ∆ PQC, we have
QC 15
tan 45= ⟹ 1= ⟹ PQ=15 metres .
PQ PQ

In ∆ PQD , we have

tan30 ° =
QD
PQ

⟹
1 h−15 15
= ⟹ h−15= ⟹ h−15=5 √ 3
√3 15 √3
⟹ h = 15 + 5 ×1.732=23.66 metres,

Hence, the height of the opposite house 23.66 metres.

EXAMPLE 30 From the top of a building 60 m high the angles of
depression of the top and the bottom of a tower are observed to
be 30° and 60°. Find the height of the tower.

SOLUTION Let AB be the building and CD be the tower. Let CD

= h metres. Let DE be horizontal from D. It is given that the
angles of depression of the top D and the bottom C of the tower
CD are 30° and 60° respectively.

∴ ∠EDB = 30°∧∠ ACB=60 °

Let AC = DE = x.

In ∆ DEB , we have
BE
tan30 °=
DE

⟹
1 60−h
=
√3 x

⟹ x = (60−h ¿ √ 3 …(i)

In ∆ CAB , we have
AB
tan60 ° =
CA

⟹
60
√ 3=
x

⟹ x= 3
60

…(ii)
√

From equation (i) and (ii), we have

(60−h ¿ √ 3= 3
60
√
⟹ 3(60−h ¿=60
⟹ 60−h=20

⟹ h = 40

Thus, the height of the tower is 40 metres.

EXAMPLE 31 A man standing on the deck of a ship, which is 10m

above water level. He observes the angle of elevation of the top
of a hill as 60° and the angle of depression of the base of the hill
as 30°. Calculate the distance of the hill from the ship and the
height of the hill.

SOLUTION Suppose the man is standing on the deck of a ship at

point A and let CD be the hill. It is given that the angle of
depression of the base C of the hill CD observed from A is 30°
and the angle of elevation of the top D of the hill CD observed
from A is 60°. Then,

∠EAD = 60° ,∠ BCA=30°

Also, AB = 10m

In ∆ AED , we have
DE
tan60 ° =
EA

⟹ √ 3= ⟹h = √ 3 x …(i)
h
x

In ∆ ABC , we have
AB
tan30 °=
BC

⟹ …(ii)
1 10
= ⟹ x=10 √ 3
√3 x
Putting x = 10√ 3 in equation (i), we get

h = √ 3 ×10 √ 3=30
⟹ DE = 30m

∴ CD = CE + ED = 10 + 30 = 40 metres

Hence, the distance of the hill from the ship is 10√ 3 metres and
the height of the hill is 40 metres

EXAMPLE 32 The angle of elevation of a jet plane from a point A

on the ground is 60°. After a flight of 30 seconds, the angle of
elevation changes to 30°. If the jet plane is flying at a constant
height of 3600√ 3 m, find the speed of the jet plane.

SOLUTION Let P and Q be the two positions of the plane and let
A be the point of observation. Let ABC be the horizontal line
through A. It is given that angles of elevation of the plane in two
positions P and Q from a point A are 60° and 30° respectively.

∴ ∠PAB = 60° , ∠QAB = 30° . It is also given that PB = 3600√ 3

metres

In ∆ ABP , we have
BP
tan60 ° =
AB

⟹ √ 3=
3600 √3
AB

⟹ AB = 3600m

In ∆ ACQ , we have
CQ
tan30 °=
AC

⟹
1 3600 √ 3
=
√3 AC

⟹ AC = 3600×3=10800 m

∴ PQ = BC = AC – AB=10800−3600=7200 M
Thus, the plane travels 7200 m in 30 seconds.

Hence, Speed of plane = 30 = sec = 1000 × 60× 60= hr

7200 240 m 240 864 km

EXAMPLE 33 If the angle of elevation of a cloud from a point h

metres above a lake is α and the angle of depression of its
reflection in the lake is β , prove that the height of the cloud is

h ¿¿

SOLUTION Let AB be the surface of the lake and let P be a point

of observation such that AP = h metres. Let C be the position of
the cloud and C’ be its reflection in the lake. Then, CB = C’ B. Let
PM be perpendicular from P on CB. Then, ∠CPM = α ∧∠mp c ' β .

Let CM = x.

Then, CB = CM +MB = CM + PA = x + h.

In ∆ CPM , we have
CM
tan α
PM

⟹
x
tan α = ⌊ ∵ PM = AB ⌋
AB

⟹ AB = x cotα …(i)

In ∆ PMC’, we have
C' M
tan β =
PM

⟹
x +2 h
tan β =¿ ¿
AB
' '
⌊ ∵C M =C B+ BM =x+ h+h ⌋
⟹ AB = (x+2h) cot β
…(ii)

From (i) and (ii), we have

xcotα =( x +2 h ) cotβ ⌊ On equating the value of AB ⌋

⟹ xcot α−cot β ¿=2 h cot β ¿

⟹ x tan α − tan β = tan β

( )
1 1 2h

⟹ x ( tantanβ−tan
α tan β ) tan β
α 2h
=

⟹ x = tan β−tan α
2h tan α

Hence, the height CB of the cloud is given by

CB = x + h

⟹ CB = tan β−tan α +h
2h tan α

⟹ CB = = h¿¿
2h tan α + h tan β−h tan α
tan β−tan α

EXAMPLE 34 The angle of elevation of a cloud from a point 60 m

above a lake is 30° and the angle of depression of the reflection
of cloud in the lake is 60°. Find the height of the cloud.

SOLUTION Let AB be the surface of the lake and P be the point

of observation such that AP = 60 metres. Let C be the position of
the cloud and C' be its reflection in the lake. Then, CB = C'B. Let
PM be perpendicular from P on CB. Then, ∠CPM = 30° and
∠C’PM = 60°. Let CM = h. Then, CB = h + 60. Consequently, C'B
= h + 60.

In ∆ CMP , we have
 CM
tan30 °=
PM

⟹
1 h
=
√3 PM
⟹ PM = √ 3 h …(i)

In ∆ PMC’, we have

tan60 ° =
C' M
PM

⟹
'
C B+ BM
tan60 ° =
PM

⟹ √3 =
h+60+60
PM

⟹ PM = …(ii)
h+120
√3
From equation (i) and (ii), we get
h+120
√ 3 h=
√3
⟹ 3h=h + 120 ⟹ 2h = 120 ⟹ h 60

Now, CB = CM + MB = h + 60 = 60 + 60 = 120.

Hence, the height of the cloud from the surface of the lake is 120
metres.

EXAMPLE 35 There is a small island in the middle of a 100 m

wide river and a tall tree stands on the island. P and Q are points
directly opposite to each other on two banks and in line with the
tree. If the angles of elevation of the top of the tree from P and Q
are respectively 30° and 45°, find the height of the tree.

SOLUTION Let OA be the tree of height h metres.

Triangle POA and QOA, we have

 OA OA
tan30 °= ∧tan 45 °=
OP OQ

⟹
1 h h
= ∧1=
√3 OP OQ

⟹ OP = √ 3 hand OQ=h

⟹ PQ = (√ 3+1 ¿ h

⟹ 100=(√ 3+1 ¿ h ⌊ ∵ PQ=100 m ⌋

⟹ h = 3+ 1 m
100
√

⟹ h= m
100( √ 3−1)
2

⟹ h = 50(1.732−1 ¿ m=36.6 m

EXAMPLE 36 The horizontal distance between two towers is 140

m. The angle of elevation of the top of the first tower when seen
from the top of the second tower is 30°. If the height of the
second tower is 60 m, find the height of the first tower.

SOLUTION Let AB and CD be two towers of height h

metres and 60 metres respectively such that the distance

AC between them is 140 m. The angle of elevation of top B

of tower AB as seen from D (top of tower CD) is 30°.

In ∆ DEB, we have
BE
tan30 °=
DE

⟹
1 BE
= ⌊ ∵ DE =AC =140 m ⌋
√3 140

⟹ BE =
140 140
m= m=80.83 m
√3 1.732
∴ AB = AE + BE = CD + BE = 60 + 80.83 M = 140. 83m

Hence, the height of the second tower is 140.83m.

EXAMPLE 37 A round balloon of radius r subtends an angle a at

the eye of the observer while the angle of elevation of its centre
is β . Prove that the height of the centre of the balloon is r sin β
cosec α /2.

SOLUTION Let O be the centre of the balloon of radius r and P

the eye of the observer. Let PA, PB be tangents from P to the
balloon. Then, ∠APB = α .

∴ ∠APO = ∠BPO = 2
α

Let OL be perpendicular from O on the horizontal PX. We are

given that the angle of the elevation of the centre of the balloon
is β i.e, ∠OPL = β .

In A OAP, we have
α OA
sin =
2 OP

⟹ sin 2 = OP
α r

⟹ OP = r coses 2 …(i)
α

In ∆ OPL , we have
OL
sin β=
OP

⟹ OL = OP sin β=rcosec 2 sin β

α

⌊ Using equation(i)⌋

Hence, the height of the centre of the balloon is r sin β cosec 2

α
EXAMPLE 38 The angle of elevation of a cliff from a fixed point is
θ. After going up .a distance of k metres towards the top of the
cliff at an angle of ∅ , it is found that the angle of elevation is α .
Show that the height of the cliff is
k ¿ ¿ metres

SOLUTION Let AB be the cliff and O be the fixed point such that
the angle of elevation of the cliff from O is θ i.e., ∠AOB = θ. Let
∠AOC = and OC = k metres. From C draw CD and CE
perpendiculars on AB and OA respectively. Then, ∠DCB = α . Let
h be the height of the cliff AB.

In ∆ OCE, we have
CE
sin ∅ =
OC

⟹
CE
sin ∅ =
k

⟹ CE = k sin ∅

⟹ AD = K sin ∅ …(i) ⌊ ∵CE=AD ⌋

And, cos ∅ =
OE
OC

⟹ cos∅ = K
OE

⟹ OE = k cos ∅ … (ii)

In ∆ OAB , we have
AB
tanθ=
OA

⟹
h
tanθ=
OA
⟹ OA = h cot θ …(iii)

∴ CD =EA = OA – OE = h cot θ−k cos ∅ …(iv) ⌊ Using ( ii )∧(iii) ⌋

And, BD = AB – AD= AB−VE=h−k sin ∅ …(v) ⌊ Using(i)⌋

In ∆ BCD , we have
BD
tan α =
CD

⟹
h−k sin ∅
tan α = ⌊ Using ( iv )∧(v) ⌋
h cot θ−k cos ∅

⟹
1 h−k sin ∅
=
cot α h cot θ−k cos ∅

⟹ h cot α −k sin ∅ cot α =h cot θ−k cos ∅

⟹ h (cot θ−cot α ¿=k (cos ∅ −sin ∅ cotα)¿

⟹ h = k ¿¿

EXAMPLE 39 At the foot of a mountain the elevation of its

summit is 45°; after ascending 1000m towards the mountain up
a slope of 30° inclination, the elevation is found to be 60°. Find
the height of the mountain.

SOLUTION Let F be the foot and S be the summit of the

mountain FOS. Then, ∠OFS = 45° and therefore, ∠OSF = 45°.
Consequently, OF = OS = h km (say). Let FP = 1000 m =1 km be
the slope so that ∠OFP = 30°.

Draw PM ⊥OS and PL ⊥ OF.

join PS. It is given that ∠MPS = 60°.

In ∆ FPL, we have
PL
sin 30 °=
PF
⟹ PL = PF sin 30 °= 1+ 2 km= 2 km ( )
1 1

∴ OM = PL = 2 km
1

⟹ MS = OS – OM = h− 2 km ( ) …(i)
1

Also,
FL
cos 30 °=
PF

⟹ FL = PF cos 30 °= 1 × 2 km = 2 km ( )
√3 √3

Now, h = OS = OF = OF OL +LF

⟹ h = OL + 2
√3

⟹ OL = h− 2 km ( )
√3

⟹ PM = h− 2 km ( )
√3

In ∆ SPM , we have
SM
tan60 ° =
PM

⟹ SM = PM tan60 °

⟹ (h− 12 )=(h− √23 ) √ 3

⌊ Using ( i )∧(ii) ⌋

⟹ h 2 =h √3− 2
−1 3

⟹
3 1
√ 3 h−h= −
2 2

⟹ h(√ 3−1 ¿=1

⟹ h = 3−1
1
√

⟹ h = ( 3−1 ) ( 3+1) = 2 = 2 =1.366 km

√3+ 1 √3+1 2.732
√ √

Hence, the height of the mountain is 1.366km.

EXAMPLE 40 The angle of elevation of the top of a tower from a

point A due south of the tower is a and from B due east of the
tower is β . If AB = d, show that the height of the tower is
d
√ cot 2
α +cot 2 β

SOLUTION Let OP be the tower and let A and B be two points

due south and east respectively of the tower such that ∠OAP = α
and ∠OBP = β . Let OP = h.

In ∆ OAP, we have
h
tan α =
OA

⟹ OA = h cot α …(i)

In ∆ OBP, we have
h
tan β =
OB

⟹ OB = h cot β …(ii)

Since OAB is a right-angled triangle.

∴ A B2 = OA 2 +OB 2

⟹ 2 2 2
d =h co t α + h cot β
2 2

⟹ h=
d
√ cot 2
α +cot 2 β
⌊ Using ( i )∧(ii) ⌋
EXAMPLE 41 The elevation of a tower at a station A due north of
it is a and at a station B due west in of A is β . Prove that the
height of the tower is 2 .
AB sin α sin β
2
sin α−sin β

SOLUTION Let OP be the tower and let A be a point due north of

the tower OP and let B be the point due west of A. Such that
∠OAP = a and ∠OBP = β . Let h be the height of the tower. In
right- angled triangle OAP and OBP, we have
h h
tan α = ∧tan β=
OA OB

⟹ OA = h cot α ∧OB=hcot β

In ∆ OAB , we have
2 2 2
OB =OA + A B

⟹ 2
AB =OB −OA
2 2

⟹ 2 2
AB =h cot β−h cot α
2 2 2

⟹ 2 2
AB =h ⌊ cot β−cot α ⌋
2 2

⟹ AB2=h2 ⌊ ( cosec 2 β−1 ) (cosec 2 α −1)⌋

⟹ 2 2
AB =h (cosec β−cosec α )
2 2

⟹ ( )
2 2
sin α −sin β
2 2
AB =h 2 2
sin α sin β

⟹ h=
ABsinαsinβ
2 2
sin a−sin β

XAMPLE 42 A 1.2 m tall girl spots a balloon moving with the

wind in a horizontal line at a height f 88.2 m from the ground.
The angle of elevation of the balloon from the eyes of the girl at
any instant is 60°. After some time, the angle of elevation
reduces to 30°. Find the distance travelled by the balloon during
the interval.

SOLUTION Let P be the position of the

balloon when its angle of elevation from

the eyes of the girl is 60° and Q be the

position when angle of elevation is 30°.

In SO OLP, we have
PL
tan60 ° =
OL

⟹ √3 = = OL
'
P L −¿ ' 88.2−1.2
OL

⟹
87
√ 3=
OL

⟹ OL = 3
87
√
In ∆ OMQ , we have
'
QM Q M −MM '
tan30 °= =
OM OM

⟹
1 88.2−1.2
=
√3 OM

⟹
1 87
=
√3 OM
⟹ OM = 87 × √3

∴ Distance travelled by the balloon = PQ = LM = OM−OL

= 87 × √3− 3 m
( )
87
√
 = 87 × √ 3− 3 m
( )
1
√
= m =
87 ×2 174
m
√3 √3
EXAMPLE 43 A straight highway leads to the foot of a tower. A
man standing at the top of the tower observes a car at angle of
depression of 30°, which is approaching to the foot of the tower
with a uniform speed. Six seconds later, the angle of depression
of the car is found to be 60°. Find the further time taken by the
car to reach the foot of the tower.

SOLUTION Let P be the foot of the vertical tower PQ of height h

metres. Let the speed of the car be v m / sec. At A the angle of
depression of the car is 30° and six seconds later it reaches to B
where the angle of depression is 60°.

Clearly, car travels distance AB in 6 seconds with speed v m/sec.

∴ AB = 6v metres

Suppose car takes t seconds to reach to P from point B. Then,

BP= vt metres.

∴ AP = AB = BP = 6v + vt

In ∆ APQ , we have
PQ
tan30 °=
AP

⟹
1 h
=
√3 6 v+ vt
⟹ √ 3 h=6 v +vt …(i)

In ∆ BPQ , we have
PQ
tan60 ° =
BP
⟹
h
√ 3=
vt

⟹ √ 3 vt=h
From (i) and (ii), we have

√ 3 × √ 3 vt=6 v+ vt

⟹ 3vt = 6v + vt

⟹ 2vt = 6v

⟹ t = 2 v =3 seconds
6v

Hence, further time taken by the car to reach the foot of the
tower is 3 seconds.

EXAMPLE 44 An aeroplane when flying at a height of 4000 m

from the ground passes vertically above another aeroplane at an
instant when the angles of the elevation of the two planes from
the same point on the ground are 60° and 45° respectively. Find
the vertical distance between the aeroplanes at that instant.

SOLUTION Let P and Q be the positions of two aeroplanes when

Q is vertically below P and OP = 4000 m. Let the angles of
elevation of P and Q at a point A on the ground be 60° and 45°
respectively.

In triangles AOP and AOQ, we have

OP OQ
tan60 ° ∧tan 45 °=
OA OA

⟹ and 1 =
4000 OQ
√ 3=
OA OA

⟹ OA = and OQ = OA
4000
√3
⟹ OQ =
4000
m
√3
∴ Vertical distance PQ between the aeroplane is given
by.

PQ = OP – OQ

⟹ PQ = 4000− 3 m = 4000
( ) m = 1690.53m
4000 ( √ 3−1)
√ √3
EXAMPLE 45 A man on a cliff observes a boat at an angle of
depression of 30° which is approaching the shore to the point
immediately beneath the observer with a uniform speed. Six
minutes later, the angle of depression of the boat is found to be
60°. Find the time taken by the boat to reach the shore.

SOLUTION Let. OA be the cliff and P be the initial

position of the boat when the angle of depression

is 30° . After 6 minutes the boat reaches to Q such

that the angle of depression at Q is 60°. Let PQ = x

metres.

In ∆ ’ s POA and QOA, we have

∧tan 60 ° =
OA OA
tan30 °=
OP OQ

⟹ = and 3=
1 OA OA
√
√3 OP OQ

⟹ OA =
OP
∧OA =√ 3OQ
√3

⟹
OP
= √3 OQ
√3
⟹ OP = 3OQ

⟹ PQ = OP – OQ=OP− 3 = 3 OP
OP 2 1
⌊ ∵OQ= OP ⌋
3

Let the speed of the boat be v metre/ minutes. Then,

PQ = Distance travelled by the boat is 6 minutes

⟹ PQ = 6 v

⟹
2
( OP )=6 v
3
2
⌊ ∵ PQ= OP ⌋
3

⟹ OP = 9v

∴ Time taken by the boat to reach at the shore is given by

T= v
OP

Distance
⌊ ∵Time= ⌋
Speed

⟹ T = v minutes=9 minutes .
9v

__________________________________________________________________
______EXERCISE 12.1

1. A tower stands vertically on the ground. From a point on the

ground, 20m away from the foot of the tower, the angle of
elevation of the top of the tower is 60°. What is the height the
tower?

2. The angle of elevation of a ladder leaning against a wall is 60°

and the foot of the ladder is 9.5 m away from the wail. Find the
length of the ladder.
 3. A ladder is placed along a wall of a house such that its upper
end is touching the top of the wall. The foot of the ladder is 2 m
away from the wall and the ladder is making an angle of 60° with
the level of the ground. Determine the height of the wall.

4. An electric pole is 10 m high. A steel wire tied to top of the

pole is affixed at a point on the ground to keep the pole up right.
If the wire makes an angle of 45° with the horizontal through the
foot of the pole, find the length of the wire.

5. A kite is flying at a height of 75 metres from the ground level,

attached to a string inclined at 60° to the horizontal. Find the
length of the string to the nearest metre.

6. The length of a string between a kite and a point on the

ground is 90 metres. If the string makes an angle θ with the
ground level such that tan θ = 15/8, how high is the kite? Assume
that there is no slack in the string.

7. A vertical tower stands on a horizontal plane and is

surmounted by a vertical flag-staff. At a point on the plane 70
metres away from the tower, an observer notices that the angles
of elevation of the top and the bottom of the flag-staff are
respectively 60° and 45°. Find the height of the flag-staff and
that of the tower.

8. A vertically straight tree, 15 m high, is broken by the wind in

such a way that its top just touches the ground and makes an
angle of 60° with the ground. At what height from the ground did
the tree break?

9. A vertical tower stands on a horizontal plane and is

surmounted by a vertical flag-staff of height 5 metres. At a point
on the plane, the angles of elevation of the bottom and the top of
the flag-staff are respectively 30° and 60°. Find the height of the
tower.
10. A person observed the angle of elevation of the top of a tower
as 30°. He walked 50 m towards the foot of the tower along level
ground and found the angle of elevation of the top of the tower
as 60°. Find the height of the tower.

11. The shadow of a tower, when the angle of elevation of the

sun is 45°, is found to be 10 m. longer than when it was 60°. Find
the height of the tower.

12. A parachutist is descending vertically and makes angles of

elevation of 45° and 60° at two observing points 100 m apart
from each other on the left side of himself. Find the maximum
height from which he falls and the distance of the point where he
falls on the ground from the just observation point.

13. On the same side of a tower, two objects are located. When
observed from the top of the tower, their angles of depression
are 45° and 60°. If the height of the tower is 150 m, find the
distance between the objects.

14. The angle of elevation of a tower from a point on the same

level as the foot of the tower is 30°. On advancing 150 metres
towards the foot of the tower, the angle of elevation of the tower
becomes 60°. Show that the height of the tower is 129.9 metres
(Use √ 3 = 1.732).

15. The angle of elevation of the top of a tower as observed from

a point in a horizontal plane through the foot of the tower is 32°.
When the observer moves towards the tower a distance of 100 m,
he finds the angle of elevation of the top to be 63°. Find the
height of the tower and the distance of the first position from the
tower. [Take tan 32° = 0.6248 and tan 63° =1.9626]

16. The angle of elevation of the top of a tower from a point A on

the ground is 30°. On moving a distance of 20 metres towards
the foot of the tower to a point B the angle of elevation increases
to 60°. Find the height of the tower and the distance of the tower
from the point A.

17. From the top of a building 15 m high the angle of elevation of

the top of a tower is found to be 30°. From the bottom of the
same building, the angle of elevation of the top of the tower is
found to be 60°. Find the height of the tower and the distance
between the tower and building.

18. On a horizontal plane there is a vertical tower with a flag

pole on the top of the tower. At a point 9 metres away from the
foot of the tower the angle of elevation of the top and bottom of
the flag pole are 60° and 30° respectively. Find the height of the
tower and the flag pole mounted on it

19. A tree breaks due to storm and the broken part bends so
that the top of the tree touches the ground making an angle of
30° with the ground. The distance between the foot of the tree to
the point where the top touches the ground is 8 m. Find the
height of the tree.

20. From a point P on the ground the angle of elevation of a 10 m

tall building is 30°. A flag is hoisted at the top of the building and
the angle of elevation of the top of the flag-staff from P is 45°.
Find the length of the flag-staff and the distance of the building
from the point P. (Take √ 3 = 1.732 ).

21. A 1.6 m tall girl stands at a distance of 3.2 m from a lamp-

post and casts a shadow of 4.8 m on the ground. Find the height
of the lamp-post by using (i) trigonometric ratios (ii) property of
similar triangles.

22. A 1.5 m tall boy is standing at some distance from a 30 m tall

building. The angle of elevation from his eyes to the top of the
building increases from 30° to 60° as he walk towards the
building. Find the distance he walked towards the building.
23. The shadow of a tower standing on a level ground is found to
be 40 m longer when Sun's altitude is 30° than when it was 60°.
Find the height of the tower.

24. From a point on the ground the angles of elevation of the

bottom and top of a transmission tower fixed at the top of 20 m
high building are 45. ° and 60: respectively. Find the height of
the transimission tower.

25. The angles of depression of the top and bottom of 8 m tall

building from the top of a multistoried building are 30° and 45°
respectively. Find the height of the multistoried building and the
distance between the two buildings.

26. A statue 1.6 m tall stands on the top of pedestal. From a point
on the ground, the angle of elevation of the top of the statue is
60° and from the same point the angle of elevation of the top of
the pedestal is 45°. Find the height of the pedestal.

27. A T.V. Tower stands vertically on a bank of a river. From a

point on the other bank directly opposite the tower, the angle of
elevation of the top of the tower is 60°. From a point 20 m away
this point on the same bank, the angle of elevation of the top of
the tower is 30°. Find the height of the tower and the width of
the river.

28. From the top of a 7 m high building, the angle of elevation of

the top of a cable tower is 60° and the angle of depression of its
foot is 45°. Determine the height of the tower.

29. As observed from the top of a 75 m tall lighthouse, the angles

of depression of two ships are 30° and 45°. If one ship is exactly
behind the other on the same side of the lighthouse, find the
distance between the two ships.

30. The angle of elevation of the top of the building from the foot
of the tower is 30° and the angle of the top of the tower from the
foot of the building is 60°. If the tower is 50 m high, find the
height of the building.

31. From a point on a bridge across a river the angles of

depression of the banks on opposite side of the river are 30° and
45° respectively. If bridge is at the height of 30 m from the
banks, find the width of the river.

32. Two poles of equal heights are standing opposite to each

other on either side of the road which is 80 m wide. From a point
between them on the road the angles of elevation of the top of
the poles are 60° and 30° respectively. Find the height of the
poles and the distances of the point from the poles.

33. A man sitting at a height of 20 m on a tall tree on a small

island in the middle of a river observes two poles directly
opposite to each other on the two banks of the river and in line
with the foot of tree. If the angles of depression of the feet of the
poles from a point at which the man is sitting on the tree on
either side of the river are 60° and 30 respectively. Find the
width of the river.

34. A vertical tower stands on a horizontal plane and is

surmounted by a flag-staff of height 7 m. From a point on the
plane, the angle of elevation of the bottom of the flag-staff is 30°
and that of the top of the flag-staff is 45°. Find the height of the
tow

35. The length of the shadow of a tower standing on level plane

is fond to be 2x metres longer when the sun's altitude is 30° than
when it was 45°. Prove that the height of tower is x (√ 3 + 1)
metres.

36. A tree breaks due to the storm and the broken part bends so
that the top of the tree touches the ground making an angle of
30° with the ground. The distance from the foot of the tree to the
point where the top touches the ground is 10 metres. Find the
height of the tree.

37. A balloon is connected to a meteorological ground station by

a cable of length 215 m inclined at 60° to the horizontal.
Determine the height of the balloon from the ground. Assume
that there is no slack in the cable.

38. Two men on either side of the cliff 80 m high observes the
angles of elevation of the top of the cliff to be 30° and 60°
respectively. Find the distance between the two men.

39. Find the angle of elevation of the sun (sun's altitude) when
the length of the shadow of a vertical pole is equal to its height.

40. A fire in a building B is reported on telephone to two fire

stations P and Q, 20 km apart from each other on a straight road.
P observes that the fire is at an angle of 60° to the road and Q
observes that it is at an angle of 45° to the road. Which station
should send its team and how much will this team have to travel?

41. A man on the deck of a ship is 10 m above the water level. He

observes that the angle of elevation of the top of a cliff is 45° and
the angle of depression of the base is 30°. Calculate the distance
of the cliff from the ship and the height of the cliff.

42. A man standing on the deck of a ship, which is 8 m above

water level. He observes the angle of elevation of the top of a hill
as 60° and the angle of depression of the base of the hill as 30°.
Calculate the distance of the hill from the ship and the height of
the hill.

43. There are two temples, one on each bank of a river, just
opposite to each other. One temple is 50 m high. From the top of
this temple, the angles of depression of the top and the foot of
the other temple are 30° and 60° respectively. Find the width of
the river and the height of the other temple.

44. The angle of elevation of an aeroplane from a point on the

ground is 45°. After a flight of 15 seconds, the elevation changes
to 30°. If the aeroplane is flying at a height of 3000 metres, find
the speed of the aeroplane.

45. An aeroplane flying horizontally 1 km above the ground is

observed at an elevation of 60°. After 10 seconds, its elevation is
observed to be 30°. Find the speed of the aeroplane in km/ hr.

46. From the top of a 50 m high tower, the angles of depression

of the top and bottom of a pole are observed to be 45° and 60°
respectively. Find the height of the pole.

47. The horizontal distance between two trees of different

heights is 60 m. The angle of depression of the top of the first
tree when seen from the top of the second tree is 45°. If the
height of the second tree is 80 m, find the height of the first tree.

48. A tree standing on a horizontal plane is leaning towards east.

At two points situated at distances a and b exactly due west on it,
the angles of elevation of the top are respectively a and B. Prove
that the height of the top from the ground is .
(a−b) tan α tan β
tan α −tan β

49. The angle of elevation of the top of a vertical tower PQ from

Point X on the ground is 60°. At a point Y,40 m vertically above
X, the angle of elevation of the top is 45°.Calculate the height of
the tower.

50. The angle of elevation of a stationery cloud from a point 2500

m above a lake is 15° and the angle of depression of its reflection
in the lake is 45°. What is the height of the cloud above the lake
level? (Use tan 15° = 0.268)
51. If the angle of devotion of a cloud from a point h metres
above a lake is a and the angle of depression of its reflection in
the lake be b, prove that the distance of the cloud from the point
of observation is tan β−tan α
2 h secα

52. From an aeroplane vertically above a straight horizontal

road, the angles of depression of two consecutive mile stones on
opposite sides of the aeroplane are observed to be a and β . Show
that the height in miles of aeroplane above the road is given by
tan α tan β
tan α +tan β

53. PQ is a post of given height a, and AB is a tower at some

distance. If a and β are the angles of elevation of B, the top of the
tower, at P and Q respectively. Find the height of the tower and
its distance from the post.

54. A ladder rests against a wall at an angle α to the horizontal.

Its foot is pulled away from the wall through a distance a, so that
it slides a distance b down the wall making an angle β with the
horizontal. Show that
a cos α −cos β
=
b sin β−sin α

55. A tower subtends an angle a at a point A in the plane of its

base and the angle of depression of the foot of the tower at a
point b metres just above A is β . Prove that the height of the
tower is h tan a cot β .

56. An observer, 1.5 m tall, is 28.5 m away from a tower 30 m

high. Determine the angle of elevation of the top of the tower
from his eye.

57. A carpenter makes stools for electricians with a square top

of side 0.5 m and at a height of 1.5 m above the ground. Also,
each leg is inclined at an angle of 60° to the ground. Find the
length of each leg and also the lengths of two steps to be put at
equal distances.

58. A boy is standing on the ground and flying a kite with 100 m
of string at an elevation of 30°. Another boy is standing on the
roof of a 10 m high building and if flying his kite at an elevation
of 45°. Both the boys are on opposite sides of both the kites. Find
the length of the string that the second boy must have so that the
two kites meet.

59. The angle of elevation of the top of a hill at the foot of a

tower is 60° and the angle of elevation of the top of the tower
from the foot of the hill is 30°. If the tower is 50 m high, what is
the height of the hill?

60. Two boats approach a light house in mid-sea from opposite

directions. The angles of elevation of the top of the light house
from two boats are 30° and 45° respectively. If the distance
between two boats is 100 m, find the height of the light house.

61. From the top of a building AB, 60 m high, the angles of

depression of the top and bottom of a vertical lamp post CD are
observed to be 30° and 60° respectively. Find

(i) the horizontal distance between AB and CD.

(ii) the height of the lamp post.

(iii) the difference between the heights of the building and the
lamp post.

62. From the top of a light house, the angles of depression of

two ships on the opposite sides of it are observed to be a and B.
If the height of the light house be h metres and the line joining
the ships passes through the foot of the light house, show that
the
distance between ship is
h ( tan α +tan β )
metres .
tan α tan β

63. A straight highway leads to the foot of a tower of height 50

m. From the top of the tower, the angles of depression of two
cars standing on the highway are30° and 60° respectively. What
is the distance between the two cars and how far is each car
tower?

64. The angles of elevation of the top of a rock from the top and
foot of a 100 m high tower are respectively 30° and 45°. Find the
height of the rock.

65. As observed from the top of a 150 m tall light house, the
angles of depression of two ships approaching it are 30° and 45°.
If one ship is directly behind the other, find the distance between
the two ships.

66. A flag-staff stands on the top of a 5 m high tower. From a

point on the ground, the angle of elevation of the top of the flag-
staff is 60° and from the same point, the angle of elevation of the
top of the tower is 45°. Find the height of the flag-staff.

67. The angles of elevation of the top of a tower from two points
at a distance of 4 m and 9 m from the base of the tower and in
the same straight line with it are complementary. Prove that the
height of the tower is 6m.

68. The angles of depression of two ships from the top of a light
house and on the same side of it are found to be 45° and 30°
respectively. If the ships are 200 m apart, find the height of the
light house.

69. The horizontal distance between two poles is 15 m. The

angle of depression of the top of the first pole as seen from the
top of the second pole is 30°. If the height of the second pole is
24 in, find the height of the first pole. (√ 3 = 1.732)

__________________________________________________________________
_______ANSWERS

1. 20√ 3 m 2. 19m 3. 2√ 3m 4. 14.1

m

5. 87 m 6. 79.41 m 7. 51.24 m, 70 m 8.
6.9m

9. 2.5 m 10. 43.25 m 11. 23.66 m

12. 236.6 m,136.6 m 13. 63.4 m 15. 91.65 m,146.7 m

16. Height =17.3 m, Distance = 30 m 17. Height = 22.5 m,

Distance12.975 m 18. 3√ 5 m, 6√ 3 m 19. 8√ 3 m 20. 7.32
m, 17.32 m 21. 3 m
8

22. 19√ 3 m 23. 20√ 3 m 24. 20(√ 3 −¿ 1) m

25. 4 (3 + √ 3)m, 4 (3 + √ 3) m 26. m

4 ( √ 3+1)
5

27. 10,√ 3 m, 10 m 28. 7(√ 3 + 1) m 29. 75(√ 3−1 ¿m 30.

m
50
3

31. 30 (√ 3+1 ) m 32. 20√ 3 m, 20 m , 60 m

33. 3 m
80
√
34. 9.56 m 36. 17.3 m 37. 186 m
38. 184.8 m

39. 45° 40. Station P,14.64 km

41. Distance =10√ 3 m, Height = 27.32m
42. Distance = 10√ 3 m, Height = 27.32 m

43. 28.83 m, 33.33 m 44. 527.04 km/hr 45. 415.68

km/hr 46. 21.13 m

47. 20 m 48. 20.87 m, 33.33 49. 94.64 m

50. 2500√ 3 m 53. Distance = tan α −tan β , Height = tan α −tan β

α α tan α

56. 45° 57. 1.732m, 1.1077m, 1.654m 58. 40

√2m
59. 150m 60. 50 (√ 3−1 ¿ m

61. (i) 34.64m (ii) 40m. (iii) 20m. 63. 57.67m, 86.5m, 28.83m

64. 236.5m 65. 109.5m 66. 3.65m 68.

273.2m

69. 15.34m

________________________________________________HINYS TO
SELECTED PROBLEMS

22. In ∆ ACB , we have

QC
tan30 °=
AC

⟹ tan30 ° =
30−1.5
AC

⟹
1 28.5
=¿
√3 AC

⟹ AC = 28.5× √3 m

In ∆ BCQ , we have
QC
tan60 ° =
BC
⟹
30−1.5
√ 3=
BC

⟹ BC =
28.5
m
√3

∴ AB = AC−BC=28.5× √3− 3 = 3 =19 √3m.

28.5 28.5 × 2
√ √
24. Let PQ be the building of height 20 metres and QR be the
transmission tower of height h metre.

Let the angles of elevation of the bottom and top of the

Tower at point O be 45° and 60° respectively. Then, in

Triangle OPQ and OPR, we have

PQ PR
tan 45 ° ∧¿ tan 60 °= ¿
OP OP

⟹ 1 = OP ∧ √3= OP
20 20+ h

⟹ OP = 20m and √ 3 ×OP=20+h

⟹ 20√ 3=20+ h

⟹ h = (20√ 3−20 m ¿=20( √ 3−1)m.

26. Let OP be the pedestal and PQ be the statue of height

1.6m

In ∆ ' sAOPand AOQ , we have

and
OP OQ
tan 45 °= tan60 ° =
OA OA

⟹ 1 = OA ∧√3= OA
OP OP+1.6

⟹ OA = OP and √ 3 OA=OP +1.6

⟹ √ 3 OP=OP+1.6
⟹ (√ 3−1 ¿ OP=1.6

⟹ OP = 3−1 =0.8( √3+1)m

1.6
√
27. Let AB be the tower of height h metre on a bank of the
river and D be a point on the opposite bank or the river

⟹
AB AB
tan30 °= ∧tan 60 °=
DB BC

⟹
1 h h
= ∧ √ 3=
√3 20+ BC BC

⟹ √ 3 h = 20 + BC and BC = 3
h
√

⟹ √ 3 h= 20+ 3
h
⌊ Oneliminating BC ⌋
√

⟹
2h
=20
√3
⟹ h = 10√ 3m

∴ BC = 3 =10 m
h
√
29. Let OA be the light house of height 75m and

P and Q be the positions of two ships .

In ∆ ' sAOQand AOP , we have

OA OA
tan 45 °= ∧tan 30°=
OQ OP

⟹ 1 = OQ = 75
75
∧1

√3 OP

⟹ OQ = 75 and OP = 75√ 3

∴ PQ = (75√ 3−75 ¿ m=75 ( √3−1 ) m

30. Let AD be the building of height h metre.

In ∆ ' sABC∧ ABD , we have

BC AD
tan60 ° = ∧tan 30° =
AB AB

⟹
50
∧1
AB h
√ 3= =
√3 AB

⟹ AB = 3 ∧ AB=√3 h
50
√

⟹ √3 h = 3
50
√

⟹ h= 3
50

40. Let AB be the building of height h. Clearly, ∠APB > ∠AQB.

⟹ ∠ABP < ∠ABQ

⟹ AP < AQ

⟹ Station P is nearer to the building

So, station P must send its team.

In ∆ PAB , we have
AB h h
tan60 ° = ⟹ √ 3= ⟹ AP=
AP AP √3
In ∆ QAB , we have

⟹ AQ = h
AB h
tan 45 °= ⟹ 1=
AQ AQ

Now, PQ = 20 km

⟹ AP + AQ = 20
⟹ +h=20 ⟹ h= √ = 10 (3 −√ 3)=17.32km
h 20 3
√ 3 √ 3+1
48. Let OP be the tree and A, B be two points such that OA=

a and OB = b

In ∆ ' sALP∧BLP , we have

h h
tan a= ∧tan β=
OL+ a OL+ b

⟹ OL + a = h cot α and OL + b = h cot β

⟹ b – a=h cot β −h cot α

⟹ h = cotβ−cotα = tan α −tan β

(b−a) (b−a)tan α tan β

51. Let C’ be the image of cloud C in the lake.

In ∆ ' sPQC∧PQC , we have

x QC '
tan α = ∧tan β=
PQ PQ

⟹
x x +2 h
tan α = an d tan β=
PQ PQ

⟹
x+ 2h x
tan β −tan α = −
PQ PQ

⟹
2h
tan β −tan α =
PQ

⟹ PQ = tan β−tan α
2h

Again, in ∆ PQC , we have

Cos α = CP
PQ

⟹ CP = PQ sec α
⟹ CP = tan β−tan α
2 h secα

52. Let h be the height of aeroplane P above the road and A and
B be two consecutive milestones. Then,

AB = 1 mile

In ∆ ' sAQP∧BQP , we have

h h
tan α = ∧tan β=
AQ BQ

⟹ AQ = h cot α ∧BQ=h cot β

⟹ AQ + BQ = h (cot α +cot β ¿ ¿

⟹ AB = h ( tantanαα+tantanββ )
⟹ h = tan α +tan β
tan α tan β

⌊ ∵ AB=1 ⌋

54. Let PQ be the ladder such that its top Q is on the wall OQ and
bottom P is on the ground. The ladder is pulled away from the
wall through a distance a, so that its top Q slides and takes
position Q’.

Clearly, PQ = P’Q.

In ∆ ' s POQ∧P' O , we have

OQ OP OQ ' OP '
sin α = , cos a= , sinβ= cos β=
PQ PQ P'Q P ' Q'

⟹
b+ y x y a+ x
sin α = , cos α = ,sin β= , cosβ=
PQ PQ PQ PQ
⟹
b+ y y a+ x x
sin α −sin β= − ∧cosβ−cosα= −
PQ PQ PQ PQ

⟹ sinα −sinβ= PQ ∧cosβ−cosα= PQ

b α

⟹
sin α −sin β b
=
cos β−cos α a

⟹
a cos α −cos
=
b sin β

67. See example 15 on page 8.8

C C E – FORMATIVE
ASSESSMENT
Very Short Answer Type Questions
(MCQs)
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Summary

__________________________________VSAQS_________________
______________

Answer each of the following question either in one word

or one sentence or as per requirement of the question:

1. The height of a tower is 10m. What is the length of its

shadow when Sun’s altitude is 45° ?
2. If the ratio of the height of a tower and the length of
its shadow is √ 3 :1, what is the angle of elevation of the
sun?

3. What is the angle of elevation of the Sun when the

length of the shadow of a vertical pole is equal t its
height?

4. From A point on the ground, 20m away from the foot

of a vertical tower, the angle of elevation of the top of
the tower is 60° , what is the height of the tower tower ?

5. If the angles of elevation of the top of a tower from top

point at a distance of 4m and 9m from the base of the
tower and in the same straight line with it are
complementary, find the height of the tower.

6. In Fig. 12.58, what are the angles of depression from

the observing positions O1 and O2 of the object at A?

__________________________________________________________
____ANSWERS
1. 10m 2. 60° 3. 45° 4. 20√ 3 m 5. 6m

6. 30° , 45 °

__________________________________MCQs__________________
________________

Mark the correct alternative in each of the following:

1. The ratio of the length of a rod and its shadow is 1 : √ 3.

The angle of elevation of the sum is

(a) 30° (b) 45° (c) 60° (d) 90°

2. If the angle of elevation of a tower from a distance of

100 metres from its foot is 60°, then the height of the
tower is

(a) 100,√ 3 m (b) √3 m (c) 50√ 3 m (d) √ 3 m

100 200

3. If the altitude of the sum is at 60°, then the height of

the vertical tower that will cast a shadow of length 30 m
is

(a) 30√ 3 m (b) 15 m (c) √3 m (d) 15√ 2 m

30

4. If the angles of elevation of a tower from two points

distant a and b (a > b) from its foot and in the same
straight line from it are 30° and 60°, then the height of
the tower is
(a) √ a+b (b) √ ab (c) √ a−b (d) √ a
b

5.If the angles of elevation of the top of a tower from two

points distant a and b from the base and in the same
straight line with it are complementary, then the height
of the tower is

(a) ab (b) √ ab (c) (d)

√
a a
b b

6. From a light house the angles of depression of two

ships on opposite sides of the light house are observed to
be 30° and 45°. If the height of the light house is h
metres, the distance between the ships is

(b) (√ 3+1 ¿ h metres (b) (√ 3−1 ¿h metres

(c) √ 3 h metres (d) 1 + ( )h metres

1
1+
√3

7. The angle of elevation of the top of a tower standing

on a horizontal plane from a point A is α . After walking a
distance d towards the foot of the tower the angle of
elevation is found to be β . The height of the tower is

(a) (b)
d d
cotα +cotβ cotα−cotβ

(c) (d)
d d
tan β−¿ tan α ¿ tan β +tan α

8. The tops of two poles of height 20 m and 14 m are

connected by a wire. If the wire makes an angle of 30°
with horizontal, then the length of the wire is
(a) 12 m (b) 10 m (c) 8 m (d) 6 m

9. From the top of a cliff 25 m high the angle of elevation

of a tower is found to be equal to the angle of depression
of the foot of the tower. The height of the tower is

(a) 25 m (b) 50 m (c) 75 m (d) 100 m

10. The angles of depression of two ships from the top of

a light house are 45° and 30° towards east. If the ships
are 100 m apart, the height of the light house is

(a) √3+ 1 m (b) √3−1 m

50 50

(c) 50(√ 3−1 ¿m (d) 50(√ 3+1 ¿m

11. If the angle of elevation of a cloud from a point 200

m above a lake is 30° and the angle of depression of its
reflection in the lake is 60°, then the height of the cloud
above the lake, is

(a) 200 m (b) 500 m (c) 30 m (d) 400 m

12. The height of a tower is 100 m. When the angle of

elevation of the sun changes from 30° to 45°, the shadow
of the tower becomes x metres less. The value of x is

(a) 100 m (b) 100√ 3 m (c) 100(√ 3−1)m (d) √3 m.

100

13.Two persons area metres apart and the height of one

is double that of the other. If from the middle point of the
line joining their feet, an observer finds the angular
elevation of their tops to be complementary, then the
height of the shorter post is
(a) (b) √2 (c) a√ 2 (d) 2 √2
a a a
4

14. The angle of elevation of a cloud from a point h

metre above a lake is θ. The angle of depression of its
reflection in the lake is 45°. The height of the cloud is

(a) h tan (45° + θ) (b) h

cot (45° — θ) (c) tan (45° — θ)
(d) h cot (45° + θ)

15. A tower subtends an angle of 30° at a point on the

same level as its foot. At a second point h metres above
the first, the depression of the foot of the tower is 60°.
The height of the tower is

(a) 2 m (b) √ 3 hm (c) m (d) √3 m

h h h
3

16. it is found that on walking x meters towards a

chimney in a horizontal line through its base, the
elevation of its top changes from 30° to 60° . The height
of the chimney is

(a) 3√ 2 x (b) 2√ 3 x (c) x (d) √3 m

√3 2
2

17. The length of the shadow of a tower standing on level

ground is found to be 2x metres longer when the sun's
elevation is 30° than when it was 45°. The height of the
tower in metres is

(a) (√ 3 + 1) x (b) (√ 3 —1) x

(c) 2√ 3x (d) 3√ 2x
18. Two poles are 'a' metres apart and the height of one
is double of the other. If from the middle point of the line
joining their feet an observer finds the angular
elevations of their tops to be complementary, then the
height of the smaller is

(a) √ 2 a metres (b) 2 √2 metres

a

(c) √2 metres (d) 2a metres

a

19. The tops of two poles of height 16 m and 10 m are

connected by a wire of length l metres. If the wire makes
an angle of 30° with the horizontal, then l =

(a) 26 (b) 16 (c) 12 (d) 10

20. If a 1.5 m tall girl stands at a distance of 3 m from a

lamp-post and casts a shadow of length 4.5 m on the
ground, then the height of the lamp-post is

(a) 1.5 m (b) 2 m (c) 2.5 m (d) 2.8 m

21. The length of shadow of a tower on the plane ground

is √ 3 times the height of the tower. The angle of elevation
of sun is

(a) 45° (b) 30° (c) 60° (d) 90°

22. The angle of depression of a car, standing on the

ground, from the top of a 75 m tower, is 30°. The
distance of the car from the base of the tower (in metres)
is

(a) 25√ 3 (b) 50√ 3 (c) 75√ 3 (d) 150

 23. A ladder 15 m long just reaches the top of a vertical
wall. If the ladder makes an angle of 60° with the wall,
then the height of the wall is

(a)15 √ 3 m (b) m (c) 2m (d) 15m

15 √3 15
2

__________________________________________________________
_ANSWERS

1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (a) 4. (b) 5. (b) 6.(a)

7 (b) 8. (a) 9. (b) 10. (d) 11. (d) 12. (c)

13. (d) 14. (a) 15. (c) 16. (c) 17. (a) 18. (b)

19. (c) 20. (c) 21. (b) 22. (a) 23. (c)