SOLUTION: two simmers are observed by a lifegaurd in a 30 feet tower above the water the angles of depression are 12.7 and 14.5 how far apart of the swimmers?

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Question 198204: two simmers are observed by a lifegaurd in a 30 feet tower above the water the angles of depression are 12.7 and 14.5 how far apart of the swimmers?
Answer by arallie(162) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Make a right triangle with leg of 30ft and opposite angle of 12.7deg
Solve for other leg
tan%2812.7%29=%2830%2Fa%29
a=%2830%2Ftan%2812.7%29%29
a=133.12049850724641310871629550339=133ft+1in
Repeat with new angle of 14.5deg
tan%2814.5%29=%2830%2Fa%29
a=%2830%2Ftan%2814.5%29%29
a=116.0013928469621446992171095257=116ft+0in
Subtract
a%5B1%5D-a%5B2%5D=d
133-116=d
d=17ft