SOLUTION: from an h=63 feet observation tower on the coast, a coast guard sights a boat. the angle of depression is 4 degrees. how far is the boat from the shore line?

Algebra ->  Trigonometry-basics -> SOLUTION: from an h=63 feet observation tower on the coast, a coast guard sights a boat. the angle of depression is 4 degrees. how far is the boat from the shore line?      Log On


   

Question 628147: from an h=63 feet observation tower on the coast, a coast guard sights a boat. the angle of depression is 4 degrees. how far is the boat from the shore line?
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
from an h=63 feet observation tower on the coast, a coast guard sights a boat.
the angle of depression is 4 degrees.
how far is the boat from the shore line?
:
The interior angle of the right triangle formed by tower, the boat and
the shore line: 90 - 4 = 86 degrees
:
The tangent can be used here, side opposite/side adjacent
Let s = distance from the shore to the boat (side opposite 86 degrees)
:
tan(86) = s%2F63
s = 63 * tan(86)
s = 63 * 14.3
s = 900.94 ft from the shore to the boat