Question Detail
Two ships are sailing in the sea on the two sides of a lighthouse. The angle of elevation of the top of the lighthouse is observed from the ships are 30 degree and 45 degree respectively. If the lighthouse is 100 m high, the distance between the two ships is:
- 276 metre
- 273 metre
- 270 metre
- 263 metre
Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Let AB be the lighthouse and C and D be the positions of the ships.
\begin{aligned}
\text{AB = 100m}, \angle{ACB}=30^{\circ}, \\
\angle{ADB}=45^{\circ}\\
\frac{AB}{AC} = tan&30{\circ} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} \\
=> AC = AB*\sqrt{3} = 100\sqrt{3}m\\
\frac{AB}{AD} = tan&45^{\circ} = 1 \\
=> AB = AD = 100m\\
CD = AC+AD\\
= (100\sqrt{3}+100)&m \\
= 100(\sqrt{3}+1)&m\\
= 100*2.73&m
= 273m
\end{aligned}