Math Problem Statement

the horizontal distance between two towers is 140 m the angle of elevation of the first tower when seen from the top of seacond tower is 30 degree .the height of second tower is 60 m find the height of the first tower

please solve it with digram

Solution

Let's solve this problem step by step, starting by sketching out the situation.

Setup:

  • Let the height of the first tower be h1h_1.
  • The height of the second tower is given as h2=60mh_2 = 60 \, \text{m}.
  • The horizontal distance between the two towers is 140m140 \, \text{m}.
  • The angle of elevation from the top of the second tower to the top of the first tower is 3030^\circ.

Now, imagine two towers:

  • The second tower is shorter and has a height of 60 m.
  • We know the angle of elevation from the top of the second tower to the top of the first is 3030^\circ.

Using trigonometry, specifically the tangent function, we can relate the height difference between the two towers and the horizontal distance.

Tangent Formula:

tan(θ)=oppositeadjacent\tan(\theta) = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}}

In this case:

  • The "opposite" is the height difference between the two towers, which is h1h2h_1 - h_2.
  • The "adjacent" is the horizontal distance between them, which is 140 m.
  • The angle θ=30\theta = 30^\circ.

Thus, the equation becomes: tan(30)=h160140\tan(30^\circ) = \frac{h_1 - 60}{140}

Since tan(30)=13\tan(30^\circ) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}, we substitute it into the equation: 13=h160140\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{h_1 - 60}{140}

Now, let's solve for h1h_1.

h160=1403h_1 - 60 = \frac{140}{\sqrt{3}}

h1=60+1403h_1 = 60 + \frac{140}{\sqrt{3}}

Simplifying this: h1=60+14033h_1 = 60 + \frac{140\sqrt{3}}{3}

Now let's compute this expression for h1h_1.The height of the first tower is approximately 140.83m140.83 \, \text{m}.

Diagram Explanation:

  • The horizontal distance between the two towers is 140 m.
  • The second tower has a height of 60 m.
  • From the top of the second tower, the angle of elevation to the top of the first tower is 3030^\circ.
  • Using trigonometry, we calculated that the height of the first tower is about 140.83 m.

Would you like a diagram, more details, or have any further questions?


Here are 5 related questions to deepen understanding:

  1. How would the result change if the angle of elevation were 4545^\circ?
  2. What if the height of the second tower were increased to 80 m?
  3. Can you derive the formula for calculating height using trigonometry for any angle?
  4. What is the importance of using tangent in right triangle problems?
  5. How would the solution change if the distance between towers were doubled?

Tip: Trigonometric functions are especially useful for solving problems involving right triangles and angles of elevation or depression.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Right Triangles
Angles of Elevation

Formulas

tan(θ) = opposite/adjacent
tan(30°) = (h1 - h2)/140

Theorems

Tangent Function in Right Triangles

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-11