An observer in a lighthouse 350 feet above sea level observes two ships directly offshore. The angles of depression to the ships are B = 8°and 8 = 12.5 (see figure). How far apart are the ships? (Round your answer to one decimal place.)
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ANSWER:
911.6 ft
EXPLANATION:
Given:
[tex]\begin{gathered} \theta=12.5^{\circ} \\ \beta=8^{\circ} \end{gathered}[/tex]To find:
The distance between the two ships
Let's go ahead and draw a sketch as seen below;
Let's go ahead and solve for the value of AC by taking the tangent of angle 12.5 degrees as seen below;
[tex]\begin{gathered} \tan12.5=\frac{350}{AC} \\ \\ AC=\frac{350}{\tan12.5} \\ \\ AC=1578.7\text{ }ft \end{gathered}[/tex]Let's now solve for the value of AD by taking the tangent of angle 8 degrees as seen below;
[tex]\begin{gathered} \tan8=\frac{350}{AD} \\ \\ AD=\frac{350}{\tan8} \\ \\ AD=2490.4\text{ }ft \end{gathered}[/tex]Therefore the distance between the two ships will be;
[tex]\begin{gathered} CD=AD-AC \\ CD=2490.4-1578.7 \\ CD=911.6\text{ }ft \end{gathered}[/tex]So the two ships are 911.6 ft