Heights and Distances

The height of a tower or the width of a river can be measured without climbing or crossing it. In this chapter we will show how it is made possible. Some suitable distances and angles will be measured to achieve the above results.

In this chapter often the terms, "Angle of Elevation", "Angle of Depression" are used.

some definitions of heights and distances

Angle of Elevation:

The angle of elevation of the point viewed is defined as the angle formed by the line of sight with the horizontal when the point being viewed is above the horizontal level.

Let P be the position  of an object above the horizontal line OX where O is the eye of the observer looking at the object. Join OP. Then, angle XOP is called Angle of Elevation.

Angle of Elevation


Angle of Depression:

The angle of depression of a point  viewed is defined as the angle formed by the line of sight with the horizontal when the point is below the horizontal level.

Let P be the position  of an object below the horizontal line OX where O is the eye of the observer looking at the object. Join OP. Then, angle XOP is called Angle of Depression.

Angle of Depression

Solved examples of heights and distances

1. The angle of elevation of the top of  tower from a point 60m from it's foot is 300. What is the height of a tower?

Solution:   heights and distances problem(1)Let AB be the tower with it's foot at A.
Let C be the point of observation.
Given angle ACB=300  and AC = 60m
From right ? BAC :    AB/ AC = tan30
=> AB=60*tan30 = 20?3 m


2. From a ship mast head 100m high, the angle of depression of a boat is tan-1(5/12) . Find it's  distance from a ship?

Solution:   AB = ship mast = 100m, with head at B:boat problem
BD is the horizontal line.C is the boat.
Given angle DBC=`theta` =Tan-1(5/12)=angle of
depression of the boat from B.=> tan`theta` = 5/12.
AC/AB =cot `theta ` = 12/5 =>AC = 100(12/5) = 240m.

Summary of heights and distances :

The distance between two distant objects can be determined with the help of trigonometric ratios.