In the adjoining figure, not drawn to the scale, AB is a tower and two objects C and D are located on the ground, on the same side of AB. When observed from the top A of the tower, their angles of depression are 450 and 600. Find the distance between the two objects. If the height of the tower is 300. Give your answer to the nearest metre.
In the adjoining figure, not drawn to the scale, AB is a tower and two objects C and D are located on the ground, on the same side of AB. When observed from the top A of the tower, their angles of depression are 450 and 600. Find the distance between the two objects. If the height of the tower is 300. Give your answer to the nearest metre.

Solution:

Consider CB = x and DB = y

AB = 300 m

In right triangle ACD

tan θ = AB/CB

Substituting the values

tan 450 = 300/x

1 = 300/x

So we get

x = 300 m

In right triangle ADB

tan θ = AB/DB

Substituting the values

tan 600 = 300/y

√3 = 300/y

By further calculation

y = 300/√3

Multiply and divide by √3

y = 300/√3 × √3/√3 = 300√3/3

So we get

y = 100 × 1.732 = 173.2 m

Here

CD = x – y = 300 – 173.2 = 126.8 = 127 m

Hence, the distance between two objects is 127 m.