Solution:

Consider CD as the pillar of x m

Angles of elevation of points A and B are 45⁰ and 60⁰

It is given that

AB = 15 m

Take AD = y

DB = 15 – y

In right triangle CAD

tan θ = CD/AD

Substituting the values

tan 45⁰ = x/y

So we get

1 = x/y

x = y …… (1)

In triangle CDB

tan 60⁰ = x/(15 – y)

Substituting the values

√3 = x/(15 – y)

So we get

x = √3 (15 – y) ….. (2)

Using both the equations

x = √3 (15 – x)

x = 15√3 – √3x

So we get

x + √3x = 15√3

x (1 + √3) = 15√3

x = 15√3/ (1 + √3)

We can write it as

x = (15 × 1.732)/ (1 + 1.732)

x = 25.98/2.732

x = 9.51

Hence, the height of the pillar is 9.51 m.