Stepwise
Start practisingPractise

JAMB 1998 · UME · Q37

From the top of a vertical mast 150 m high, two huts on the same ground level are observed, one due east and the other due west of the mast. Their angles of depression are 60∘60^\circ and 45∘45^\circ respectively. Find the distance between the huts.

Worked solution (try it first)
  1. The huts are on opposite sides of the mast, so the distance between them is the sum of their distances from its foot.
  2. East hut: 150tan⁡60∘=1503\frac{150}{\tan60^\circ} = \frac{150}{\sqrt3}
    =503= 50\sqrt3 m.
  3. West hut: 150tan⁡45∘=150\frac{150}{\tan45^\circ} = 150 m.
  4. So the distance is 150+503=50(3+3)150 + 50\sqrt3 = 50(3 + \sqrt3) m, option B.

Report a problem with this question