1 of 3

30o

B

75 m

45o

30o

A

D

C

45o

X

∠XBC and ∠BCA are what type of angles?

Alternate angles

What can we say about these two angles ?

They are equal

∠XBD and ∠BDA are what type of angles?

Alternate angles

What can we say about these two angles ?

They are equal

Q. As observed from the top of a 75 m high lighthouse from the

sea-level, 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.

Observer

Observe

∠XBC and ∠BCA

Observe

∠XBD and ∠BDA

line of sight

line of sight

Horizontal line

?

2 of 3

Q. As observed from the top of a 75 m high

lighthouse from the sea-level, 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.

Sol.

Height of light house (AB) = 75 m

AD is the distance of one ship from

the foot of light house (AB)

Let the distance between

two ships (DC) be ‘x’ m

In right ΔBAD,

tan 45º

=

AB

AD

1

=

75

AD

…(i)

AD

=

75m

A

D

C

B

75 m

X

45º

30º

30º

45º

x

Opposite

side

Adjacent side

tan 45o =

?

1

Observe ∠ADB

For ∠ADB

Opposite side →

Adjacent side →

AB

AD

Ratio of opposite side and Adjacent side reminds us of _________

‘tan’

Consider ΔBAD

75m

3 of 3

In right ΔBAC,

tan 30º

=

AB

AC

 

1

=

75

x + 75

x + 75

=

75

 

x

=

75

 

– 75

x

=

75(

 

– 1)

Distance between the two ships is 54.75 m

x

=

75(

1.73 – 1)

x

=

75 ×

x

=

54.75

Q. As observed from the top of a 75 m high

lighthouse from the sea-level, 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.

Sol.

A

D

C

B

X

45º

30º

30º

45º

x

75m

75 m

(x + 75)m

Opposite

side

Adjacent side

For ∠ACB

Opposite side →

Adjacent side →

AB

AC

tan 30o =

?

1

 

Ratio of opposite side and Adjacent side reminds us of _________

‘tan’

Observe ∠C

 

0.73