SOLUTION: I have a "lake" which is really an irregular blob kind of shape. There are two points on either side of the "lake", A, and B. I need to know how to find the width of the "lake" wit

Question 373472: I have a "lake" which is really an irregular blob kind of shape. There are two points on either side of the "lake", A, and B. I need to know how to find the width of the "lake" without using a boat or getting my feet wet. Thanks (:
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
There are two points on either side of the "lake", A, and B. I need to know how to find the width
:
Assume you are on the B side of the lake. Mark off a line from B which is 90
degrees from the line of sight to A. Choose a value like 100'. Call that point C
Measure the angle from C to a line of sight to A:
:
To use an example: Line BC = 100', angle C = 50 degrees, Find AB (the width of the lake)
:
Use the tangent of angle of 50 degrees (side opposite/side adjacent)
tan(50) =
1.19 =
100*1.19 = AB
119' = AB; the width of the lake, in this example
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