Question

The Skipper and Gilligan have built an observation post in a tree, 50 feet above the ground. The Skipper looks out at the Professor fishing ina canoe with an angle of depression of 15 degrees. Round all answers to the nearest 1 decimal.How far away is the Professor from the Skipper?_______ftHow far is the Professor from the base of the observation post?_______ft

Answer 1

x is computed as follows:

cos(15°) = adjacent/hypotenuse

cos(15°) = 50/x

x = 50/cos(15°)

x = 51.8 ft

How far away is the Professor from the Skipper?

51.8 ft

y is computed as follows:

tan(15°) = opposite/adjacent

tan(15°) = y/50

tan(15°)*50 = y

13.4 ft = y

How far is the Professor from the base of the observation post?

13.4 ft