Heights and

Distances 11

BASIC CONCEPTS – A FLOW CHART

Heights and Distances 275

 MORE POINTS TO REMEMBER
 In solving problems observer is represented by a point if his
height is not given.
 In solving problems object is represented by a line segement
and some times by a point if height or length is not
considered.

For example, AB is tower and point C is observer.
 A line drawn parallel to earth surface is called horizontal
line.
 The angle of elevation of a point C as seen from a point A is Fig. 11.1
always equal to the angle of depression of A as seen from C.

Fig. 11.2

Thus, angle of elevation = angle of depression
 The angle of elevation and depression are always acute
angles.
 If the observer moves towards the objects like tower,
building, cliff, etc. then angle of elevation increases and
if the observer moves away from the object, the angle of
elevation decreases.
 If the angle of elevation of sun decreases, then the
length of shadow of an object increases and vice-versa.
Fig. 11.3

Fig. 11.4
 If in problems, the angle of elevation of an object is given, then we conclude that the object
is at higher altitude than observer. The angle of depression implies that observer is at
higher altitude than object.

276 Xam idea Mathematics–X

Multiple Choice Questions [1 mark]
Choose and write the correct option in the following questions.
1. A pole 6 m high casts a shadow 2 3 m long on the ground, then the Sun’s elevation is
 [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) 60° (b) 45° (c) 30° (d) 90°
2. Which are the angles of depression from the observing positions A and C respectively of the
object at E in Fig. 11.5?
C A
45°

60°
E D B

Fig. 11.5 
(a) 30°, 60° (b) 45°, 30° (c) 45°, 60° (d) 15°, 30°
3. If the altitude of the Sun is at 60°, then the height of the vertical tower that will cast a shadow
of length 20 m is
20 15 40
(a) 20 3 m (b) m (c) m (d) m
3 3 3
4. The ratio of the length of a rod and its shadow is 1 : 1. The angle of elevation of the Sun is
(a) 30° (b) 45° (c) 60° (d) 90°
5. A ladder 18 m long makes an angle of 60° with a wall. The height of the point where the ladder
reaches the wall is
(a) 9 3 m (b) 18 3 m (c) 18 m (d) 9 m
6. The length of the ladder making an angle of 45° with a wall and whose foot is 7 m away from
the wall is
7 2
(a) m (b) 7 2 m (c) 14 2 m (d) 14 m
2
7. The angle formed by the line of sight with the horizontal when the object viewed is below the
horizontal level is
(a) corresponding angle (b) angle of elevation
(c) angle of depression (d) none of these
8. If the angle of elevation of top of a tower from a point on the ground which is 20 3 m away
from the foot of the tower is 30°, then the height of the tower is
(a) 60 m (b) 30 m (c) 25 m (d) 20 m
9. The height of a pole is 10 m. What is the length of the shadow when Sun’s altitude is 30°?
10
(a) m (b) 10 3 m (c) 10 m (d) 15 m
3
10. If the angles of elevation of the top of a tower from the two points at a distance of 2 m and 8 m
from the base of the tower and in the same straight line with it are complementary, then the
height of the tower is
(a) 3 m (b) 4 m (c) 5 m (d) 6 m

Heights and Distances 277

 11. A 1.6 m tall girl stands at distance of 3.2 m from a lamp post and casts shadow of 4.8 m on the
ground, then the height of the lamp post is
8
(a) 8 m (b) 4 m (c) 6 m (d) m
3
12. A tower casts a shadow 90 m long and at the same time another tower casts a shadow of 120 m
on the ground. If the height of the second tower is 80 m, then the height of the first tower is
(a) 60 m (b) 5.5 m (c) 50 m (d) 40 m
13. An observer 1.6 m tall is 20 3 m away from a tower. The angle of elevation from his eye to the
top of the tower is 30°. The height of the tower is
(a) 21.6 m (b) 23.2 m (c) 24.72 m (d) None
14. If a 30 m ladder is placed against a 15 m wall such that it just reaches the top of the wall, then
the elevation of the wall is equal to
(a) 45° (b) 30° (c) 60° (d) 50°
15. A boy is standing at the top of the tower and another boy is at the ground at some distance
from the foot of the tower, then the angle of elevation and depression between the boys when
both boys look at each other will be
(a) equal (b) angle of elevation will be greater
(c) cannot be predicted (d) angle of depression will be greater

Answers
1. (a) 2. (c) 3. (a) 4. (b) 5. (a) 6. (b)
7. (c) 8. (d) 9. (b) 10. (b) 11. (d) 12. (a)
13. (a) 14. (b) 15. (a)

Fill in the Blanks [1 mark]

Complete the following statements with appropriate word(s) in the blank space(s).
1.
_______________ is the line drawn from the eye of an observer to the point in the object viewed
by the observer .
2.
The _______________ of an object viewed, is the angle formed by the line of sight with the
horizontal when it is above the horizontal level, i.e; the case when we raise our head to look at
the object.
3.
The _______________ of an object viewed, is the angle formed by the line of sight with the
horizontal when it is below the horizontal level i.e: the case when we lower our head to look at
the object.
4.
__________ are used to find height or length of an object or distance between two distant objects.
5. When the length of the shadow of a pole is equal to its height, then the angle of elevation of
source of light is _______________ .
h1 h2
6. For two towers of height h1 and h2; x = tan 60° and x = tan 30°, at mid points of line joining
their feet then h1 : h2 = _______________.
7.
The angle of elevation of the top of a tower is 30°, if the height of the tower is doubled, then the
angle of elevation of its top will be _______________ .
8. The angle of elevation and angle of depression are always _______________ angles.
9. As the observer moves towards the object the angle of elevation _______________ .
10. _______________ is a tool used to measure height of tall things, that you can't possibly reach to
the top of the object.

278 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 Answers
1. Line of sight 2. angle of elevation 3. angle of depression
4. Trigonometric ratios 5. 45° 6. 3 : 1 7. same 8. acute
9. increases 10. Clinometer

Very Short Answer Questions [1 mark]

1. If a pole 12 m high casts a shadow 4 3 m long on the ground, find the Sun’s elevation.
 [NCERT Exemplar]
12 3
Sol. tan q = = = 3
4 3 3
12 m
⇒ q = 60°

4√3 m
Fig. 11.6
2. An observer 1.5 m tall is 20.5 m away from a tower 22 m high. Determine the angle of elevation
of the top of the tower from the eye of the observer.
Sol. PQ = MB = 1.5m

AM = AB – MB = 22 – 1.5 = 20.5m
Now in DAPM
AM 20.5
tan q = = = 1 ⇒ tanθ = tan 45°
PM 20.5
⇒ θ = 45°

Fig. 11.7

3. A ladder 15 m long makes an angle of 60° with the wall. Find the height of the point where the
ladder touches the wall.  [CBSE (F) 2017]
x
Sol. cos 60° =
15
1 x
⇒
=
2 15
15
⇒
x= m = 7.5 m Fig. 11.8
2

4.
The ratio of the height of a tower and the length of its shadow on the ground
is 3 : 1. What is the angle of elevation of the sun? [CBSE Delhi 2017]
AB 3
Sol. Given: =
BC 1
AB
Then, tan q = = 3
BC
⇒
q = 60° Fig. 11.9

Heights and Distances 279

 5. If the angle of elevation of a tower from a distance of 100 m from its foot is 60°, then what will
be the height of the tower?  [NCERT Exemplar]
Sol. Let h be the height of the tower.
AB
tan 60° =
BC
h
3=
100

h = 100 3 m

Fig. 11.10
6. In Fig. 11.11, AB is a 6 m high pole and CD is a ladder inclined at an angle of 60°
to the horizontal and reaches up to a point D of pole. If AD = 2.54 m, find the
length of the ladder. (Use 3 =1.73) [CBSE Delhi 2016]
Sol. DB = (6 – 2.54)m = 3.46 m
BD
In DBDC, sin 60° =
CD
3 3.46 3.46 × 2
⇒
= ⇒ CD =
2 CD 1.73 Fig. 11.11
\
DC = 4 m
7. An observer, 1.7 m tall, is 20 3 m away from a tower. The angle of elevation from the eye of
observer to the top of tower is 30°. Find the height of tower. [CBSE (F) 2016]
Sol. Let AB be the height of tower and DE be the height of observer.

AC
Then in DACD, = tan 30°.
DC

x 1
⇒
= tan 30° = ⇒ x = 20 m (Fig. 11.12)
20 3 3

\
AB = 20 + 1.7 = 21.7 m

Fig. 11.12

8. If a tower 30 m high, casts a shadow 10 3 m long on the ground, then what is the angle of
elevation of the sun ?           [CBSE (AI) 2017]

Sol. In DABC B
AB 30
tan θ = = = 3
AC 10 3

⇒ tan θ = tan 60°

30 m
⇒
θ = 60°

θ
A 10 m C

Fig. 11.13

280 Xam idea Mathematics–X

Short Answer Questions-I [2 marks]
1. Find the angle of elevation of the sun when the shadow of a pole h m high is 3 h m long.

Sol. In DABC
AC h
tan q = =
BC 3h
1
⇒ tan q =
= tan 30°
3
\
q = 30°
Fig. 11.14
2. The height of a tower is 12 m. What is the length of its shadow when Sun’s altitude is 45°?
Sol. Let AB be the tower [Fig. 11.15].
Then, ∠C = 45°, AB = 12 m
AB 12 12
tan 45° = = ⇒ 1= ⇒ BC = 12 m
BC BC BC
\ The length of the shadow is 12 m.

Fig. 11.15
3. A circus artist is climbing a 20 m long rope, which is tightly stretched and tied from the top
of a vertical pole to the ground. Find the height of the pole, if the angle made by the rope with
the ground level is 30°  [NCERT]
Sol. Let AB be the vertical pole and AC be the long rope tied to point C.

In right DABC, we have [Fig. 11.16]

AB 1 AB 20
sin 30° =   ⇒ = ⇒ = AB
AC 2 20 2
⇒ AB = 10 m Fig. 11.16
Therefore, height of the pole is 10 m.
4. The angle of elevation of the top of a tower from a point on the ground, which is 30 m away
from the foot of the tower, is 30°. Find the height of the tower.
Sol. Let BC be the tower whose height is h metres and A be the point at a distance of 30 m from the
foot of the tower. The angle of elevation of the top of the tower from point A is given to be 30°.
Now, in right angle DCBA we have,
BC h 1 h
tan 30° = = ⇒ =
AB 30 3 30

30 30 3 30 3
⇒ h = = × = = 10 3 m
3 3 3 3
Fig. 11.17
Hence, the height of the tower is 10 3 m.

Short Answer Questions-II [3 marks]

1. A tree breaks due to storm and the broken part bends, so that the top of the tree touches the
ground making an angle 30° with it. The distance between the foot of the tree to the point
where the top touches the ground is 8 m. Find the height of the tree. [NCERT]

Heights and Distances 281

 Sol. In right angle DABC, AC is the broken part of the tree (Fig. 11.18).
So, the total height of tree = (AB + AC)
Now in right angle DABC ,
AB 1 AB 8
  ⇒  = AB =
tan 30° = 
BC 3 8   ⇒  3
BC
Again, cos 30°   = 
AC

3 8 16
⇒
= ⇒ AC =
2 AC 3
Fig. 11.18
Hence, the height of the tree = AB + AC
8 16 24 24 3 24 3
= + = = × = =8 3m
3 3 3 3 3 3
2. The angles of elevation of the top of a tower from two points at a distance of 4 m and 9 m from
the base of the tower and in the same straight line with it are complementary. Prove that the
height of the tower is 6 m. [NCERT]
Sol. Let OA be the tower of height h metre and P, Q be the two points at distance of 9 m and 4 m
respectively from the base of the tower.
Now, we have
OP = 9 m, OQ = 4 m
Let ∠APO = q, ∠AQO = (90° – q)
and OA = h metre (Fig. 11.19)
Now, in DPOA, we have
OA h h
tan q = = ⇒ tan q = ... (i)
OP 9 9
Again, in DAQO we have Fig. 11.19
OA h h
tan (90° – q) = = ⇒ cot q = ... (ii)
OQ 4 4
Multiplying (i) and (ii), we have
h h h2
tan q × cot q = × ⇒ 1 = ⇒ h2 = 36
9 4 36
h=±6
Height cannot be negative.
Hence, the height of the tower is 6 metre. Hence proved
3. Determine the height of a mountain if the elevation of its top at an unknown distance from
the base is 30° and at a distance 10 km further off from the mountain, along the same line, the
angle of elevation is 15°. (Use tan 15° = 0.27)
Sol. Let AB be the mountain of height h kilometres. Let C be a point at a distance of x km, from the
base of the mountain such that the angle of elevation of the top at C is 30°. Let D be a point at a
distance of 10 km from C such that angle of elevation at D is of 15°.
In DABC (Fig. 11.20), we have

AB 1 h
tan 30° = ⇒ =
AC 3 x

⇒
x = 3h Fig. 11.20

282 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 In DADB, we have
AB h
tan 15° = ⇒ 0.27 =
AD x + 10
⇒
0.27 (x + 10) = h ...(i)
Substituting x = 3h in equation (i), we get

0.27 ( 3h + 10) = h
⇒
0.27 × 3h + 0.27 × 10 = h

⇒
2.7 = h – 0.27 × 3h ⇒ 2.7 = h (1 – 0.27 × 3)
2.7
⇒ 2.7 = h (1 – 0.46) ⇒ = h = 5
0.54
Hence, the height of the mountain is 5 km.
4. The shadow of a tower standing on a level ground is found to be 40 m longer when the Sun’s
altitude is 30° than when it is 60°. Find the height of the tower.
Sol. In Fig. 11.21, AB is the tower and BC is the length of the shadow when the Sun’s altitude is 60°,
i.e., the angle of elevation of the top of the tower from the tip of the shadow is 60° and DB is the
length of the shadow, when the angle of elevation is 30°.
Now, let AB be h m and BC be x m.
According to the question, DB is 40 m longer than BC.
So, BD = (40 + x) m
Now, we have two right triangles ABC and ABD.
AB h
In DABC, tan 60° = or 3=
BC x
⇒
x 3 = h ...(i)
AB
In DABD, tan 30° =
BD Fig. 11.21

1 h

i.e., = ...(ii)
3 x + 40

Using (i) in (ii), we get (x 3 ) 3 = x + 40, i.e., 3x = x + 40

i.e., x = 20
So, h = 20 3
(From (i))
Therefore, the height of the tower is 20 3 m.
5. From a point P on the ground, the angle of elevation of the top of a 10m tall building is 30°. A
flag is hoisted at the top of the building and the angle of elevation of the top of the flagstaff
from P is 45°. Find the length of the flagstaff and the distance of the building from the point
P. (You may take 3 = 1.732).
Sol. In Fig. 11.22, AB denotes the height of the building, BD the flagstaff
and P the given point. Note that there are two right triangles PAB and
PAD. We are required to find the length of the flagstaff, i.e., BD and
the distance of the building from the point P, i.e., PA.
Since, we know the height of the building AB, we will first consider the
right DPAB.
AB 1 10
We have, tan 30° = AP ⇒ = Fig. 11.22
3 AP

Heights and Distances 283

 ⇒
AP = 10 3
i.e., the distance of the building from P is 10 3 m = 10 × 1.732 = 17.32 m.

Next, let us suppose DB = x m. Then, AD = (10 + x) m.
Now, in right DPAD,
AD 10 + x 10 + x
tan 45° = = ⇒ 1= ⇒ 10 3 = 10 + x
AP 10 3 10 3

i.e., x = 10( 3 – 1) = 7.32
So, the length of the flagstaff is 7.32 m.
6. A contractor plans to install two slides for the children to play in a park. For the children
below the age of 5 years, she prefers to have a slide whose top is at a height of 1.5 m, and is
inclined at an angle of 30° to the ground, whereas for elder children, she wants to have a steep
slide at a height of 3 m, and inclined at an angle of 60° to the ground. What should be the
length of the slide in each case? [NCERT]
Sol. Let AC be a steep slide for elder children and DE be a slide for
younger children. Then AB = 3 m and DB = 1.5 m (Fig. 11.23).
Now, in right angle DDBE, we have
BD 1.5
sin 30° = =
DE DE
1 1.5
⇒
= \ DE = 2 × 1.5 = 3 m
2 DE Fig. 11.23
\
Length of slide for younger children = 3 m
Again, in right angle DABC, we have

AB 3 3
  sin 60° = ⇒ =
AC 2 AC

6 3 6 3
⇒ AC =
× = =2 3m
3 3 3

So, the length of slide for elder children is 2 3 m.

7. A kite is flying at a height of 60 m above the ground. The string attached to the kite is
temporarily tied to a point on the ground. The inclination of the string with the ground is 60°.
Find the length of the string, assuming that there is no slack in the string. [NCERT]
Sol. Let AB be the horizontal ground and K be the position of the kite and its height from the ground
is 60 m and let length of string AK be x m. (Fig. 11.24)
∴ ∠KAB = 60°
Now, in right angle DABK we have
BK 60 3 60
sin 60° = = ⇒ = ⇒ 3x = 120
AK x 2 x
120 3 120 3
\
x= # = = 40 3 m
3 3 3

So, the length of string is 40 3 m. Fig. 11.24

8. A 1.5 m tall boy is standing at some distance from a 30 m tall building. The angle of elevation
from his eyes to the top of the building increases from 30° to 60° as he walks towards the
building. Find the distance he walked towards the building. [NCERT]

284 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 Sol. Let AB be the building and PQ be the initial position of the boy (Fig. 11.25) such that
∠APR = 30° and AB = 30 m
Now, let the new position of the boy be P'Q' at a distance QQ'.
Here, ∠AP'R = 60°
Now, in DARP, we have
AR AB − RB
tan 30° = =
PR PR
1 30 − 1.5 28.5
⇒ = =
3 PR PR
PR = 28.5 × 3
Again, in DARP' we have
Fig. 11.25
AR 28.5
tan 60° = ⇒ 3=
P'R P'R
28.5 3 28.5 3
    P'R = × = = 9.5 3
3 3 3
Therefore, required distance, QQ' = PP' = PR – P'R = 28.5 3 – 9.5 3 = 19 3
Hence, distance walked by the boy is 19 3 m.
9. From a point on a bridge across a river, the angles of depression of the banks on opposite sides
of the river are 30° and 45° respectively. If the bridge is at a height of 3 m from the banks, find
the width of the river.
Sol. In Fig. 11.26, A and B represent points on the bank on opposite sides of the river, so that AB
is the width of the river. P is a point on the bridge at a height of 3 m, i.e., DP = 3m. We are
interested to determine the width of the river, which is the length of the side AB of the DAPB.
In right DADP, ∠A = 30°
PD
So, tan 30° = AD
1 3
i.e., = or AD = 3 3 m
3 AD
Also, in right DPDB, Fig. 11.26
PD 3
= tan 45° ⇒ =1
DB DB
\
DB = 3m
Now, AB = BD + AD = 3 + 3 3 = 3 (1 + 3) m
Therefore, the width of the river is 3( 3 + 1) m.
10. As observed from the top of a 75 m high lighthouse from the sea-level, the angles of depression
of two ships are 30° and 45°. If one ship is exactly behind the other on the same side of the
lighthouse, find the distance between the two ships. [NCERT]
Sol. Let AB be the lighthouse of height 75 m and P, Q be the
position of the two ships whose angles of depression are 45°
and 30°, respectively (Fig. 11.27).
Let BP = x m and PQ = y m, we have
∠APB = 45° and ∠AQB = 30°
Now, in DABP we have
AB 75
tan 45° = ⇒ 1= Fig. 11.27
BP x
Heights and Distances 285
 ⇒
x = 75 m ...(i)
Again, in DABQ we have
AB
tan 30° =
BQ

1 75
⇒
= x + y ⇒ x + y = 75 3 ...(ii)
3
From (i) and (ii), we have
75 + y = 75 3

y = 75 3 – 75 ⇒ y = 75( 3 – 1)

Hence, the distance between two ships is 75( 3 – 1) metres.

11. Two ships are there in the sea on either side of a light house in such a way that the ships and
the light house are in the same straight line. The angles of depression of two ships as observed
from the top of the light house are 60° and 45°. If the height of the light house is 200 m, find
the distance between the two ships. [Use 3 = 1.73] [CBSE Delhi 2014]
Sol. Let the distance between the two ships be d metres.
Let the distance of one ship from the light house be x metres. Then, the distance of the other ship
from the light house will be (d – x) metres.
In DACO,
OC 200
tan 45° = AC = x

200
          1 = x   ⇒    x = 200 m ...(i)

OC
In DBCO, tan 60° =
BC
200 200
3 = d − x    ⇒   d – x =
3
Substituting the value of x from (i)
Fig. 11.28
200
d – 200 =
3

200  1 
d = + 200 = 200  + 1
3  3 

1 + 3  (1 + 3) 3
= 200   = 200 × ×
 3  3 3

( 3 + 3) (1.73 + 3) 4.73 946

= 200 = 200 × = 200 × = = 315.33 m
3 3 3 3

12. The angle of elevation of an aeroplane from a point on the ground is 60°. After a flight of
30 seconds the angle of elevation becomes 30°. If the aeroplane is flying at a constant height
of 3000 3 m, find the speed of the aeroplane. [CBSE (AI) 2014]

Sol. Let A be point of observation and P and Q be positions of the plane. Let ABC be the line through
A and it is given that angles of elevation from point A to two positions P and Q are 60° and 30°.

286 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 \
∠PAB = 60°, ∠QAB = 30°

Height = 3000 3 m
So, in DABP, we have
BP
tan 60° = AB

3000 3
3 =   ⇒  AB = 3000 m
AB
In DACQ
CQ
tan 30° =
AC Fig. 11.29
1 3000 3
=
3 AC
AC = 9000 m
\
Distance = BC = AC – AB = 9000 m – 3000 m = 6000 m
Also, plane travels for 30 seconds.
6000 18
Hence, speed of plane = = 200 m/s = 200 × km/h = 720 km/h.
30 5
13. From the top of a 60 m high building, the angles of depression of the top and the bottom of a tower
are 45° and 60° respectively. Find the height of the tower. [Take 3 = 1.73] [CBSE (AI) 2014]
Sol. Let the height of the building be AE = 60 m, the height of the tower is
‘h’. The distance between the base of the building and the tower be ‘d’.
In DADE,
AE 60
tan 60° = ⇒ 3=
DE d
60 60 3
= = 20 3
d =
3 3
BC = 20 3 = 20 × 1.73 = 34.60 m
In DABC,
AC AC
tan 45° = ⇒ 1=
BC 34.60
⇒ AC = 34.60 m

Fig. 11.30
Now, height of tower = AE – AC = 60 – 34.60 = 25.4 m
14. A vertical tower stands on a horizontal plane and is
surmounted by a flagstaff of height 5 m. From a point on
the ground the angles of elevation of the top and bottom of
the flagstaff are 60° and 30° respectively. Find the height
of the tower and the distance of the point from the tower.
(Take 3 = 1.732)  [CBSE (F) 2016]
Sol. Let height of tower be x m and distance of
point from tower be y m.
x 1
(i) From the Fig. 11.31, = tan 30° = ⇒y= 3x
y 3

x+5 x+5
(ii) = tan 60° = 3 or = 3 ( y = 3x )
y 3x
Fig. 11.31

Heights and Distances 287

 5
⇒ x + 5 = 3x ⇒ x= = 2.5
2
Height of tower = 2.5 m
Distance of point from tower = y = 3x
= (2.5 × 1.732) or 4.33 m
15. Two men on either side of a 75 m high building and in line with base of building observe the
angle of elevation of the top of the building as 30° and 60°. Find the distance between the two
men. (Use 3 = 1.73) [CBSE (F) 2016]
Sol. Let AB be the building having height 75 m and the angles of elevation are 30° and 60° from the
point M1 and M2 respectively;
AB 1
In DABM1, = tan 30° = ⇒  BM1 = 75 3 m
BM1 3
In DABM2,
AB
= tan 60° = 3
BM2
75
⇒ BM2 = = 25 3 m
3
∴ M1M2 = M1B + BM2 Fig. 11.32

= 75 3 + 25 3 = 100 3 m = 173 m
\ Distance between two men = 173 m.

16. A moving boat is observed from the top of a 150 m high cliff moving away from the cliff. The
angle of depression of the boat changes from 60° to 45° in 2 minutes. Find the speed of the boat
in m/h.  [CBSE Delhi 2017]
Sol. Let the speed of boat be x m/min
\
CD = 2x
In DABC,
150 150
y = tan 60° & y= = 50 3 m 150 m
3
In DABD
150

y + 2x
= tan 45° & 150 = 50 3 + 2x
y 2x
( y = 50 3 m)
Fig. 11.33
⇒
x = 25(3 – 3 )
Speed = 25(3 – 3 ) m/min
\
= 25 × 60 (3 – 3 ) m/h = 1500 (3 – 3 ) m/h

Long Answer Questions [5 marks]

1. From a point on the ground, the angles of elevation of the bottom and the top of a transmission
tower fixed at the top of a 20 m high building are 45° and 60°, respectively. Find the height of
the tower. [NCERT]
Sol. Let AB be a building of height 20 m and BC be the transmission tower of height x m and D be
any point on the ground (Fig. 11.34).
Here, ∠BDA = 45° and ∠ADC = 60°
Now, in DADC, we have

288 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 AC x + 20
tan 60° = ⇒ 3=
AD AD
x + 20
⇒ AD = ...(i)
3
AB
Again, in DADB, we have tan 45° =
AD
20
⇒ 1 = ⇒ AD = 20 m ...(ii)
AD
Putting the value of AD in equation (i), we have
x + 20 Fig. 11.34
⇒ 20 = ⇒ 20 3 = x + 20
3
⇒ x = 20 3 – 20 = 20 ( 3 – 1) = 20 (1.732 – 1) = 20 × 0.732 = 14.64 m

Hence, the height of tower is 14.64 m.
2. A statue, 1.6 m tall, stands on the top of a pedestal. From a point on the ground, the angle of
elevation of the top of the statue is 60° and from the same point, the angle of elevation of the
top of the pedestal is 45°. Find the height of the pedestal. [NCERT]
Sol. Let AB be the pedestal of height h metres and BC be the statue of height 1.6 m.
Let D be any point on the ground such that,
∠BDA = 45° and ∠CDA = 60°
Now, in DBDA, we have
AB h h
tan 45° = = ⇒ 1=
DA DA DA

\ DA = h ...(i)
Again in DADC, we have
AC AB + BC
tan 60° = =
AD AD

h + 1.6
⇒ 3 = (From equation (i)) Fig. 11.35
h
⇒ 3 h = h + 1.6 ⇒ ( 3 – 1) h = 1.6

1.6 1.6 3 +1 1.6 ( 3 + 1) 1.6 ( 3 + 1)

\
h= = × = = = 0.8 × ( 3 + 1) m
3 −1 3 −1 3 +1 3−1 2
Hence, height of the pedestal is 0.8 ( 3 + 1) m.
3. From the top of a 7 m high building, the angle of elevation of the top of a cable tower is 60° and
the angle of depression of its foot is 45°. Determine the height of the tower.
 [NCERT, CBSE Delhi 2017]
OR
From the top of a 7 m high building, the angle of elevation of the top of a tower is 60° and the
angle of depression of its foot is 45°. Find the height of the tower. [Use 3 = 1·732]
[CBSE (F) 2017]
Sol. Let PQ be the building of height 7 metres and AB be the cable tower. Now it is given that the
angle of elevation of the top A of the tower observed from the top P of building is 60° and the
angle of depression of the base B of the tower observed from P is 45°. (Fig. 11.36)
So, ∠APR = 60° and ∠QBP = 45°
Let QB = x m, AR = h m then, PR = x m
Now, in DAPR, we have

Heights and Distances 289

 AR h
tan 60° = ⇒ 3=
PR x
⇒
3 x = h ⇒ h = 3x ...(i)
Again, in DPBQ we have
t
PQ 7
tan 45° = ⇒ 1 =    ⇒ x = 7 ...(ii)
QB x
Putting the value of x in equation (i), we have
h= 3 ×7=7 3

i.e., AR = 7 3 metres
So, the height of tower = AB = AR + RB = 7 3 + 7 = 7( 3 + 1) m. Fig. 11.36
5
4. At a point, the angle of elevation of a tower is such that its tangent is . On walking 240 m
12
3
nearer to the tower, the tangent of the angle of elevation becomes . Find the height of the
4
tower.
Sol. In the Fig. 11.37 let AB be the tower, C and D be the positions of observation from where given
that
5 3
tan f = … (i) and tan q = …(ii)
12 4
Let BC = x m, AB = y m
Now in right-angled triangle ABC,
y
tan q = ...(iii)
x
3 y
From (ii) and (iii), we get =
4 x
4
⇒ x = y ...(iv) Fig. 11.37
3
Also in right-angled triangle ABD, we get
y
tan f = ...(v)
x + 240
From (i) and (v), we get
5 y
= ⇒ 12y = 5x + 1200 ...(vi)
12 x + 240

4
⇒ 12y = 5 ×
y + 1200 (Using (iv))
3

20 36 y − 20 y
⇒
12 y − y = 1200 ⇒ = 1200
3 3
3600
⇒ 16y = 3600
⇒ == 225
y
16
Hence, the height of the tower is 225 metres.
5. A 1.2 m tall girl spots a balloon moving with the wind in a horizontal line at a height of 88.2 m
from the ground. The angle of elevation of the balloon from the eyes of the girl at any instant
is 60°. After some time, the angle of elevation reduces to 30° (Fig. 11.38). Find the distance
travelled by the balloon during the interval. [NCERT]
Sol. Let A and B be two positions of the balloon
and G be the point of observation. (eyes of the girl)

290 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 Now, we have

AC = BD = BQ – DQ = 88.2 m – 1.2 m = 87 m
∠AGC = 60°, ∠BGD = 30°

Now, in DAGC, we have
AC
tan 60° =
GC
87
⇒
3=
GC
87 87 3 87 × 3
⇒
CG = = × =
3 3 3 3
⇒
GC = 29 × 3 …(i) Fig. 11.38

Again, in DBGD, we have

BD 1 87
tan 30° =   ⇒ =
GD 3 GD

⇒
GD = 87 × 3 …(ii)
From (i) and (ii), we have
  CD = 87 × 3 – 29 × 3
= 3 (87 – 29) = 58 3
Hence, the balloon travels 58 3 metres.
6. A straight highway leads to the foot of a tower. A man standing at the top of the tower observes
a car at an angle of depression of 30°, which is approaching the foot of the tower with a
uniform speed. Six seconds later, the angle of depression of the car is found to be 60°. Find
the time taken by the car to reach the foot of the tower from this point.
[NCERT, CBSE Delhi 2017 (C)]
Sol. Let OA be the tower of height h, and P be the initial position of the car when the angle of
depression is 30°.
After 6 seconds, the car reaches to Q such that the angle of depression at Q is 60°. Let the speed
of the car be v metre per second. Then,
PQ = 6v ( Distance = speed × time)
and let the car take t seconds to reach the tower OA from Q (Fig. 11.39). Then, OQ = vt metres.
Now, in DAQO, we have
OA
tan 60° =
QO

h
⇒
3 = ⇒ h= 3 vt ...(i)
vt
Now, in DAPO, we have
OA
tan 30° =
PO Fig. 11.39
1 h
⇒ = ⇒ 3 h = 6v + vt ...(ii)
3 6v + vt
Now, substituting the value of h from (i) into (ii), we have
3 × 3 vt = 6v + vt

Heights and Distances 291

 6v
⇒ 3vt = 6v + vt
⇒ 2vt = 6v = 3 ⇒ =t
2v
Hence, the car will reach the tower from Q in 3 seconds.
7. From the top of a tower, 100 m high, a man observes two cars on the opposite sides of the tower
and in same straight line with its base, with angles of depression 30° and 45°. Find the distance
between the cars. [Take 3 = 1.732] [CBSE (AI) 2017]
Sol. Let AO be the tower of height 100 m. Car B and Car C are in opposite direction and at distance
of x m and y m respectively.
In DABO,

100 45° 30°
x = tan 45° = 1
⇒
x = 100 m ...(i)
In DACO,
100m
100 1
y = tan 30° = 3 45° 30°
⇒
y = 100 3 m ...(ii) x O y

Distance between the cars = x + y Fig. 11.40

= 100 + 100 3 [From equation (i) and (ii)]

= 100 (1 + 3)
= 100 (1 + 1.732) = 273.2 m
8. Two poles of equal heights are standing opposite to each other on either side of the road,
which is 80 m wide. From a point between them on the road, the angles of elevation of the top
of the poles are 60° and 30°, respectively. Find the height of the poles and the distances of the
point from the poles. [NCERT; CBSE 2019 (30/1/2)]
Sol. Let AB and CD be two poles of equal height h metre and let
P be any point between the poles, such that
∠APB = 60° and ∠DPC = 30°
The distance between two poles is 80m. (Given)
Let AP = x m, then PC = (80 – x) m
Now, in DAPB, we have
AB h Fig. 11.41
tan 60° = =
AP x
h
⇒ 3 = ⇒ h= 3 x ...(i)
x
Again in DCPD, we have
DC h
tan 30° = =
PC (80 − x)
1 h 80 − x
⇒
= ⇒ h=
3 80 − x 3
...(ii)

From (i) and (ii), we have

80 − x
3x = ⇒ 3x = 80 – x
3
80
⇒
4x = 80 ⇒ =
x = 20 m
4

292 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 Now, putting the value of x in equation (i), we have
h = 3 × 20 = 20 3
Hence, the height of the pole is 20 3 m and the distance of the point from first pole is 20 m and
that of the second pole is 60 m.
9. A TV tower stands vertically on a bank of a canal. From a point on the other bank directly
opposite the tower, the angle of elevation of the top of the tower is 60°. From another point
20 m away from this point on the line joining this point to the foot of the tower, the angle of
elevation of the top of the tower is 30° (Fig. 11.42). Find the height of the tower and the width
of the canal. [NCERT]
Sol. Let height of the tower be h metres and width of the canal be x metres, so AB = h m and BC = x m
Now in DABC, we have
h h
tan 60° = ⇒ 3 = ⇒ h = 3 x ...(i)
x x
Now, in DADB, we have
AB 1 h
tan 30° = ⇒ = ⇒ 20 + x = 3h ...(ii)
DB 3 20 + x
From (i) and (ii), we have
20 + x = 3 ×⇒ 20 + x = 3x
3 x
20
⇒ 20 = 3x – x = 2x ⇒ x = = 10 m
2
Now, putting the value of x in equation (i), we have
h= 3 × 10 = 10 3 ⇒ h = 10 3m Fig. 11.42

Hence, height of the tower is 10 3 m and width of the canal is 10 m.

10. A person standing on the bank of a river observes that the angle of elevation of the top of a tree
standing on the opposite bank is 60°. When he moves 40 metres away from the bank, he finds
the angle of elevation to be 30°. Find the height of the tree and the width of the river.
Sol. Let AB be the tree of height h metres standing on the bank of a river. Let C be the position of
man standing on the opposite bank of the river such that BC = x m. Let D be the new position
of the man. It is given that CD = 40 m and the angles of elevation of the top of the tree at C and
D are 60° and 30°, respectively, i.e.,
∠ACB = 60° and ∠ADB = 30°
In DACB, we have
AB h
tan 60° = ⇒ tan 60° =
BC x
h h
⇒ 3 = ⇒ x= ...(i)
x 3
In DADB, we have
AB 1 h
⇒ =
tan 30° =
BD

3 x + 40
Fig. 11.43
⇒
3 h = x + 40 ...(ii)

h
Substituting x = in equation (ii), we get
3

h h
3h = + 40 ⇒ 3h − = 40
3 3

Heights and Distances 293

 3h − h 2h
⇒
= 40 ⇒ = 40
3 3
40 × 3
⇒
h= ⇒ h = 20 3 = 20 × 1.732 = 34.64 m
2
20 3
Substituting h in equation (i), we get x = metres = 20 metres
3
Hence, the height of the tree is 34.64 m and width of the river is 20 m.
11. The angles of elevation and depression of the top and bottom of a lighthouse from the top of
a building, 60 m high, are 30° and 60° respectively. Find
(i) the difference between the heights of the lighthouse and the building.
(ii) distance between the lighthouse and the building.          [CBSE Delhi 2014]
Sol. Let AB be the building and CE be the lighthouse (Fig. 11.44).
In right-angled DABC,
AB
    
tan 60° =
BC
60
⇒ 3=    ⇒   3 BC = 60
BC
60 3 60 3
⇒      BC =
× = = 20 3
3 3 3

= 20 (1.732) = 34.64 m ( 3 = 1.732)

As      AD = BC (Opposite sides of a rectangle)
\       AD = 20 3 m

Fig. 11.44
In right-angled DADE,
DE 1 DE
tan 30° = ⇒ =
AD 3 20 3
⇒
3 DE = 20 3 ⇒ DE = 20 m
\
(i) Difference between the heights of lighthouse and building = EC – DC = DE = 20 m
and (ii) Distance between the lighthouse and the building = BC = 34.64 m.
12. In Fig. 11.45, from the top of a building AB, 60 metres high, the angles of depression of the
top and bottom of a vertical lamp post CD are observed to be 30° and 60°, respectively. Find
(i) the horizontal distance between AB and CD.
(ii) the height of the lamp post.
Sol. Given AB is the building and CD is the vertical lamp post. Then, DE is the horizontal distance
between AB and CD.
Let CD = h metres, then ∠EDB = 30° and ∠ACB = 60°, AE = CD = h
metres and EB = (60 – h) m
In DABC,
CA CA 1
  = cot 60° or =
AB 60 3
1
\  
CA = d 60 # n = 20 3 m
3
\  
DE = CA = 20 3 m
Fig. 11.45

294 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 In DBDE,
BE 1
= tan 30° =
DE 3
BE 1
or =   or BE = 20 m
20 3 3
⇒
60 – h = 20,  i.e., h = 40 m
\ (i) Horizontal distance between AB and CD = 20 3 m = 20 × 1.732 = 34.64 m

(ii) The height of lamp post = 40 m
13. A boy standing on a horizontal plane finds a bird flying at a distance of 100 m from him at
an elevation of 30°. A girl standing on the roof of 20 metre high building, finds the angle of
elevation of the same bird to be 45°. Both the boy and the girl are on opposite sides of the bird.
Find the distance of bird from the girl. [Given 2 = 1.414 ] [CBSE 2019 (30/5/1)]
Sol. Let B be the position of bird. O and P be the positions of boy and girl respectively and PQ be the
building
We have, ∠AOB = 30° and, ∠BPM = 45°
In DAOB, we have
AB 1 AB
sin 30° = ⇒ =
100 2 100
⇒
AB = 50 m
Fig. 11.46
\
BM = AB – AM = 50 – 20 = 30 m
In DPBM, we have
BM 1 30
⇒ =
BP   ⇒    BP = 30
sin 45° = BP 2 m
2
Hence, distance of bird from girl is 30 2 m.
14. The angles of depression of the top and the bottom of a 8 m tall building from the top of a
multi-storeyed building are 30° and 45°, respectively. Find the height of the multi-storeyed
building and the distance between the two buildings.
Sol. In Fig. 11.47, PC denotes the multi-storeyed building and AB denotes the 8 m tall building. We
are interested to determine the height of the multi-storeyed building, i.e., PC and the distance
between the two buildings, i.e., AC.
Let PD = x m
In right DPDB, we have
PD 1 x 1
= tan 30° = or =
BD 3 BD 3

or x 3 = BD …(i)
In right DPCA, we have
PC x+8
= tan 45° = 1 ⇒ = 1 ( AC = BD)
AC BD
Fig. 11.47
⇒ x + 8 = BD
⇒ x + 8 = x 3 (Using (i))

8 3 +1 8( 3 + 1)
⇒ x( 3 – 1) = 8 ⇒
x= × = = 4( 3 + 1)
3 −1 3 +1 3−1

From (i), BD = [4( 3 + 1)] 3 = 4(3 + 3)

Heights and Distances 295

 So, the height of the multi-storeyed building is {4( 3 + 1) + 8} m = 4(3 + 3) m

and the distance between the two buildings is also 4(3 + 3 ) m.
15. The angle of elevation of the top of a tower at a distance of 120 m
from a point A on the ground is 45°. If the angle of elevation of the
top of a flagstaff fixed at the top of the tower, at A is 60°, then find
the height of the flagstaff. (Use 3 = 1.73)
Sol. Let CD be the tower which is at a distance of 120 m from A.
BD = x be the length of flagstaff.
CD h
In DACD, tan 45° = ⇒ 1=
CA 120

⇒
h = 120 m Fig. 11.48
BC x+h
In DABC, tan 60° = ⇒ 3=
AC 120
120 3 = x + 120
x = 120 × 1.73 – 120
x = 120 (1.73 –1) = 120 × 0.73
x = 87.6 m
16. The angle of elevation of the top of a building from the foot of the tower is 30° and the angle of
elevation of the top of the tower from the foot of the building is 60°. If the tower is 50 m high,
find the height of the building.
Sol. Let AB be the building of height h m and CD be the tower of height 50 m. We have,
∠ACB = 30° and ∠DAC = 60°
In DACD, we have
DC 50
tan 60° = ⇒ 3=
AC AC
50 50 3 50 3
⇒
AC = = × = ...(i)
3 3 3 3

50 3
⇒
AC = m
3
Fig. 11.49
In DABC, we have
AB
tan 30° =
AC
1 h
⇒
= ⇒ AC = 3h
3 AC
AC 50 3 50 2
⇒
h = = = = 16 m (From equation (i))
3 3 3 3
3
2
Hence, the height of the building is 16 m.
3
17. The shadow of a tower at a time is three times as long as its shadow when the angle of elevation
of the sun is 60°. Find the angle of elevation of the sun at the time of the longer shadow.
[CBSE (F) 2017]

296 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 Sol. Let AB be the tower and BC be the length of its shadow when the Sun rays meet the ground at
an angle of 60°. Let q be the angle between the Sun rays and the ground when the length of the
shadow of the tower is BD. Let h be the height of the tower (Fig. 11.50).

Fig. 11.50

Let BC = x \ BD = 3x and CD = 2x
In DABC, we have
AB h
tan 60° = ⇒ 3= ⇒ h = 3x
BC x
In DADB, we have
AB
tan q =
BD
h 3x
⇒ tan q =
⇒ tan q = (a h = 3x )
3x 3x
1
⇒ tan q =
⇒ tan q = tan 30° ⇒ q = 30°
3
18. From the top of a hill, the angles of depression of two consecutive kilometre stones due east
are found to be 45° and 30° respectively. Find the height of the hill. [CBSE (F) 2017]
Sol. Let the height of the hill be h m, C and D are two consecutive stones having distance 1000 m
between them and AC = x m.
B

45°

45° 30°
A x C 1 km D
1000 m
Fig. 11.51
In DABC,
h
tan 45° = x
⇒
x = h ...(i)
In DABD,
h 1 h
tan 30° =   ⇒  =
x + 1000 3 x + 1000
⇒ h + 1000 = 3h (From equation (i))
⇒ h ^ 3 –1 h = 1000

or 500 ^ 3 + 1 h m
1000
⇒ h =
3 –1
Hence, the height of the hill = 500 ^ 3 + 1 h m

Heights and Distances 297

HOTS [Higher Order Thinking Skills]
1. A man standing on the deck of a ship, which is 10 m above the water level, observes the angle
of elevation of the top of a hill as 60° and the angle of depression of the base of the hill as 30°.
Calculate the distance of the hill from the ship and the height of the hill.
Sol. In Fig. 11.52, let C represents the position of the man on the deck of the
ship, A represents the top of hill and D its base.
Now in right-angled triangle CWD,
10 10
tan 30° = ⇒ WD =
WD tan 30o
10
⇒  
WD = = 10 3 = 17.3 m
1
3
Also, in right-angled triangle ABC, we have
AB AB
tan 60° = or    (From fig. BC = WD)
BC WD
Fig. 11.52
AB
⇒
3= ⇒ AB = 10 3 × 3 = 30 m
10 3
Now, AD = AB + BD = 30 m + 10 m = 40 m
Therefore, the distance of the hill from the ship is 17.3 m and the height of the hill is 40 m.
2. A spherical balloon of radius r subtends an angle q at the eye of an observer. If the angle of
elevation of its centre is f, find the height of the centre of the balloon. [NCERT Exemplar]
Sol. In Fig. 11.53, O is the centre of balloon, whose radius OP = r and ∠PAQ = q. Also, ∠OAB = f.
Let the height of the centre of the balloon be h. Thus OB = h.
In DOAP, we have
θ r
sin = , where OA = d ...(i)
2 d
Also in DOAB,
h
sin f = ...(ii)
d
From (i) and (ii), we get
h
sin φ d h θ
= = or h = r sin f cosec
θ r r 2 Fig. 11.53
sin
2 d
3. From a window (h metres high above the ground) of a house in a street, the angles of elevation
and depression of the top and the foot of another house on the opposite
side of the street are q and f respectively. Show that the height of the
opposite house is h (1 + tan q cot f).
Sol. Let W be the window and AB be the house on the opposite side.
Then, WP is the width of the street (Fig. 11.54).
Let AP = h' m
PB
In DBPW, tan f =
WP
h
⇒
= tan f ⇒ WP = h cot f …(i) Fig. 11.54
WP

298 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 AP h′
Now, in DAWP, tan q = =
WP WP
⇒ h' = WP tan q  ⇒  h' = h cot f tan q
\ Height of house = h' + h
= h cot f tan q + h = h (1 + tan q cot f)
4. The angle of elevation of a aeroplane from a point A on the ground is 60°. After a flight of
30 seconds, the angle of elevation changes to 30°. If the aeroplane is flying at a constant height
of 3600 3 metres then find the speed of the aeroplane. [CBSE 2019 (30/5/1)]
Sol. Let the position of plane be at C, after 30 seconds, it well be C C´
at C' (See figure)
Let AB = x m and ABl = y m
In DABC, we have

3600
BC
tan 60° =
AB
B’
xm
3600 3 ym
⇒
3= ⇒ x = 3600 m
x Fig. 11.55
Now,
In D ABl Cl , we have
Bl Cl 1 3600 3
tan 30° = ⇒ =
ABl 3 y
⇒
y = 3600 × 3 = 10800 m
\
Distance covered in 30 seconds = y – x
= (10800 – 3600) m = 7200 m
7200
\
Speed of the plane =
30
18
⇒
Speed of the plane = 240 m/sec. = 240 × km/h = 864 km/h
5
5. If the angle of elevation of a cloud from a point h metres above a lake is a and the angle of
h (tan b + tan a)
depression of its reflection in the lake is b, prove that the height of the cloud is
tan b – tan a
[NCERT Exemplar]
Sol. Let AB be the surface of the lake and let P be a point of observation (Fig. 11.56) such that
AP = h metres. Let C be the position of the cloud and C' be its reflection in the lake. Then,
CB = C'B. Let PM be perpendicular from P on CB. Then, ∠CPM = a and ∠MPC' = b. Let
CM = x.

Fig. 11.56

Heights and Distances 299

 Then, CB = CM + MB = CM + PA = x + h
In DCPM, we have
CM x
tan a = ⇒ tan a = ( a PM =AB)
PM AB
⇒
AB = x cot a ...(i)
In DPMC', we have
C′M x + 2h
tan b = ⇒ tan b = ( a C'M = C'B + BM = x + h + h)
PM AB
⇒
AB = (x + 2h) cot b ...(ii)
From (i) and (ii), we have
⇒
x cot a = (x + 2h) cot b ⇒ x(cot a – cot b) = 2h cot b
 1 1  2h  tan β − tan α  2h
⇒ x  tan α − tan β  = tan β
⇒ x =
   tan α tan β  tan β
2h tan α
⇒ x=
tan β − tan α
Hence, the height CB of the cloud is given by
2h tan α
CB = x + h ⇒ CB = tan β − tan α + h

2h tan α + h tan β − h tan α h(tan α + tan β)

⇒
=
CB = tan β − tan α tan β − tan α
6. From an aeroplane vertically above a straight horizontal plane, the angles of depression of two
consecutive kilometre stones on the opposite sides of the aeroplane are found to be a and b .
tan α . tan β
Show that the height of the aeroplane is .
tan α + tan β
Sol. In Fig. 11.57, let P be the position of plane, A and B be the positions of two stones one kilometre
apart. Angles of depression of stones A and B are a and b respectively. Let PC = h.

Fig. 11.57

In right-angled triangle ACP, we have

PC h
⇒ tan a =
= , h = AC tan a
AC AC
h
⇒
AC = ...(i)
tan α
Now in right-angled triangle PCB, we have
PC h
tan b = ⇒ tan b =
CB CB

300 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 h
⇒ (tan b) CB = h
⇒ CB = ...(ii)
tan β
Adding (i) and (ii), we have
h h  tan β + tan α 
AC + CB = + = h 
tan α tan β  tan α . tan β 
As it is given that AC + CB = 1
 tan β + tan α  tan α . tan β
\
1 = h   ⇒ h=
 tan α . tan β  tan α + tan β
7. A man in a boat rowing away from a light house 100 m high takes 2 minutes to change the
angle of elevation of the top of the light house from 60° to 30°. Find the speed of the boat in
metres per minute. (Use 3 = 1.732] ) [CBSE 2019 (30/1/2)]
Sol. Let AB be the light house of height = 100 m.

100

xm ym

Fig. 11.58
Also let the distance DC = x metres and CB = y metres.
In DABC, we have
AB
tan 60° =
BC
100 100
3= y & y= m ...(i)
3
In DABD,
AB
tan 30° =
BD
1 100
=
x +y
& x + y = 100 3 ...(ii)
3
From equations (i) and (ii), we get
100
x + = 100 3 & 3 x + 100 = 300
3
200
⇒
x= m
3
Time taken to travel from C to D = 2 minutes
distance
As we know that speed =
Time
200 200 100
= = = = 57.74 m/ min (approrx.)
3 2× 3 1.732
2
Hence, the speed of boat is 57.74 m/ min.

Heights and Distances 301

 PROFICIENCY EXERCISE
QQ Objective Type Questions: [1 mark each]
1. Choose and write the correct option in each of the following questions.
(i) If the angle of elevation of a tower from a distance of 100 m from its foot is 60°, then the
height of the tower is
(a) 100 3 m (b) 200 3 m (c) 50 3 m (d) 300 3 m
(ii) A tower is 100 m high, what will be the angle of elevation, from a point 100 m away from
its foot, to the top of the tower?
(a) 60° (b) 90° (c) 45° (d) 30°
(iii) The shadow of a pole is equal to its height at 10 : 45 am. The Sun's altitude is
(a) 30° (b) 45° (c) 60° (d) 90°
(iv) In Fig. 11.59, the value of CE is
D C

60°

6 cm

E
A 10 cm B

Fig. 11.59

(a) 12 cm (b) 6 cm (c) 9 cm (d) 6 3 cm

(v) If the angles of elevation of a tower from two points distant a and b where a > b from its
foot and in the same straight line from it are 30° and 60°, then the height of the tower is
a
(a) a + b (b) ab (c) a – b (d)
b
2. Fill in the blanks.
(i) Angle of elevation and angle of depression are always ___________ angles.
(ii) If the angle of elevation of Sun ___________ then length of shadow of object decreases.
(iii) The angle for which sine and cosine have equal values is ___________.

(iv) When length of the shadow of a pole is equal to its height the angle of elevation of source
of light is ___________.
(v) The angle of ______________ implies that observer is at a higher altitude than the object.
QQ Very Short Answer Questions: [1 mark each]
1
3. The ratio of the length of a tree and its shadow is 1 : . What is the Sun's angle of elevation?
3
4. If two towers of height h1 and h2 subtend angle of 60° and 30° respectively at the mid-point of the
line joining their feet, then find h1 : h2. [CBSE Delhi 2015]
5. The height of the tower is 100 m. When the angle of elevation of Sun is 30°, then what is the
length of shadow of the tower?
6. The tops of two poles of height 16 m and 10 m are connected by a wire of length l metres. If the
wire makes an angle of 30° with the horizontal, then find l.

302 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 7. An observer, 1.5 m tall, is 28.5 m away from a 30 m high tower. Determine the angle of elevation
of the top of the tower from the eye of the observer. [CBSE Delhi 2017 (C)]
8. The angle of elevation of the top of a tower from a point P on the ground is a. After walking a
distance d meter towards the foot of the tower, angle of elevation is found to be b. Which angle
of elevation is greater?
9. What is the angle of elevation of Sun if the ratio of the length of a rod and its shadow is 1 : 1?
10. A ladder, leaning against a wall, makes an angle of 60° with the horizontal. If the foot of the
ladder is 2.5 m away from the wall, find the length of the ladder. [CBSE (AI) 2016]
QQ Short Answer Questions–I: [2 marks each]
State whether the statements are true or false. Justify (Q. 11 to 12)
11. If the length of the shadow of a tower is increasing then the angle of elevation of the sun is also
increasing. [NCERT Exemplar]
12. The height of a tower is 15 m. The length of its shadow is 5 3 m when Sun’s altitude is 30°.
13. An electrician has to repair an electric fault on a pole of height 4 m. He needs to reach a point
1.3 m below the top of the pole to undertake the repair work. What should be the length of the
ladder that he should use which when inclined at an angle of 60° to the horizontal would enable
him to reach the required position?
14. In Fig. 11.60, what is the angle of elevation of point A from C and angle of depression of point D
from A?

Fig. 11.60

15. In Fig. 11.61, height of a building is h + 2 and point C is h m from the foot of the building. Find
the angle of elevation of the top of the building from a point 2 m from point C.

2m
Fig. 11.61

16. On a straight line passing through the foot of a tower, two points C and D are at distances of
4 m and 16 m from the foot respectively. If the angles of elevation from C and D of the top of the
tower are complementary, then find the height of the tower.  [CBSE (AI) 2017]
QQ Short Answer Questions–II: [3 marks each]
17. A tree is broken by wind. The top struck the ground at an angle of 30° and at a distance of 30 m
from the root. Find the height of the whole tree.
18. The angle of elevation of a ladder leaning against a wall is 60° and the foot of the ladder is 9.5 m
away from the wall. Find the length of the ladder.

Heights and Distances 303

 19. From a window 15 m high above the ground in a street, the angles of elevation and depression
of the top and the foot of another house on the opposite side of the street are 30° and 45°,
respectively. Show that the height of the opposite house is 23.66 m.
20. A pole 5 m high is fixed on the top of a tower. The angle of elevation of the top of the pole as
observed from a point A on the ground is 60° and the angle of depression of the point A from the
top of the tower is 45°. Find the height of the tower.

21. The length of a string between a kite and a point on the ground is 90 metres. If the string makes
15
an angle q with the ground level such that tan q = , how high is the kite? Assume that there
8
is no slack in the string.
22. The angle of elevation of the top of a vertical tower from a point on the ground is 60°. From
another point 10 m vertically above the first, its angle of elevation is 45°. Find the height of the
tower. [NCERT Exemplar]
23. A man standing on the deck of a ship, which is 10 m above water level, observes the angle of
elevation of the top of a hill as 60° and the angle of depression of the base of hill as 30°. Find the
distance of the hill from the ship and the height of the hill. [CBSE (AI) 2016]
24. The angles of depression of the top and bottom of a 50 m high building from the top of a tower
are 45° and 60° respectively. Find the height of the tower and the horizontal distance between the
tower and the building. (Use 3 = 1.73). [CBSE Delhi 2016]
25. From the top of a 120 m high tower, a man observes two cars on the opposite sides of the tower
and in straight line with the base of tower with angles of depression as 60° and 45°. Find the
distance between the two cars. (Take 3 = 1.732) [CBSE Delhi 2017 (C)]
QQ Long Answer Questions: [5 marks each]
26. As observed from the top of a 100 m high light house from the sea-level, the angles of depression
of two ships are 30° and 45°. If one ship is exactly behind the other on the same side of the light
house, find the distance between the two ships. [Use 3 = 1.732 ] [CBSE 2018 (30/1)]
27. The angle of elevation of the top of a hill at the foot of a tower is 60° and the angle of depression
from the top of tower to the foot of hill is 30°. If tower is 50 metre high, find the height of the hill.
[CBSE 2018 (C) (30/1)]
28. A man in a boat rowing away from a light house 100 m high takes 2 minutes to change the angle
of elevation of the top of the light house from 60° to 30°. Find the speed of the boat in metres per
minute. [Use 3 = 1.732 ] [CBSE 2019 (30/1/1)]
29. Two poles of equal heights are standing opposite each other on either side of the road, which is
80 m wide. From a point between them on the road, the angles of elevation of the top of the poles
are 60° and 30° respectively. Find the height of the poles and the distances of the point from the
poles. [CBSE 2019 (30/1/1)]
30. Amit, standing on a horizontal plane, finds a bird flying at a distance of 200 m from him at an
elevation of 30°. Deepak standing on the roof of a 50 m high building, finds the angle of elevation
of the same bird to be 45°. Amit and Deepak are on opposite sides of the bird. Find the distance
of the bird from Deepak. [CBSE 2019 (30/2/1)]
31. From a point P on the ground, the angle of elevation of the top of a tower is 30° and that of the
top of the flag-staff fixed on the top of the tower is 45°. If the length of the flag-staff is 5 m, find
the height of the tower. [Use 3 = 1.732 ]

304 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 32. The shadow of a tower standing on a level ground is found to be 40 m longer when the Sun’s
altitude is 30° than when it was 60°. Find the height of the tower. [Given 3 = 1.732 ]
 [CBSE 2019 (30/3/1)]
33. A moving boat is observed from the top of a 150 m high cliff moving away from the cliff. The
angle of depression of the boat changes from 60° to 45° in 2 minutes. Find the speed of the boat
in m/min. [CBSE 2019 (30/4/2)]
34. There are two poles, one each on either bank of a river just opposite to each other. One pole is
60 m high. From the top of this pole, the angle of depression of the top and foot of the other
pole are 30° and 60° respectively. Find the width of the river and height of the other pole.
 [CBSE 2019 (30/4/2)]
35. A boy standing on a horizontal plane finds a bird flying at a distance of 100 m from him at an
elevation of 30°. A girl standing on the roof of a 20 m high building, finds the elevation of the
same bird to be 45°. The boy and the girl are on the opposite sides of the bird. Find the distance
of the bird from the girl. Use 2 = 1.414 ] [CBSE 2019 (30/5/1)]
36.
The angles of depression of the top and bottom of a 8 m tall building from the top of a tower are
30° and 45° respectively. Find the height of the tower and the distance between the tower and the
building.  [CBSE 2019 (C) (30/1/1)]
37.
As observed from the top of a lighthouse, 75 m high from the sea level, the angles of depression
of two ships are 30° and 45°. If one ship is exactly behind the other on the same side of the
lighthouse, find the distance between the two ships.  [CBSE 2019 (C) (30/1/1)]
38. The angles of depression of the top and bottom of a building 50 metres high as observed from the
top of a tower are 30° and 60°, respectively. Find the height of the tower and also the horizontal
distances between the building and the tower.
39. The angle of elevation of the top of a tower 30 m high from the foot of another tower in the same
plane is 60° and the angle of elevation of the top of the second tower from the foot of the first
tower is 30°. Find the distance between the two towers and also the height of the other tower.
 [NCERT Exemplar]
40. The lower window of a house is at a height of 2 m above the ground and its upper window is
4 m vertically above the lower window. At certain instant, the angles of elevation of a balloon
from these windows are observed to be 60° and 30°, respectively. Find the height of the balloon
above the ground.  [NCERT Exemplar]
41. As observed from the top of a lighthouse, 100 m above sea level, the angle of depression of a ship,
sailing directly towards it, changes from 30° to 45°. Determine the distance travelled by the ship
during the period of observation.
42. The angle of elevation of the top of a tower as observed from a point in a horizontal plane
through the foot of the tower is 32°. When the observer moves towards the tower at a distance of
100 m, he finds the angle of elevation of the top to be 63°. Find the height of the tower and the
distance of the first position from the tower. [Take tan 32° = 0.6248 and tan 63° = 1.9626]
43. The angle of elevation of the top of a tower from a point A on the ground is 30°. On moving a
distance of 20 metres towards the foot of the tower to a point B, the angle of elevation increases
to 60°. Find the height of the tower and the distance of the tower from the point A.

Heights and Distances 305

 44. From a balloon vertically above a straight road, the angle of depression of two cars at an instant
are found to be 45° and 60°. If the cars are 100 m apart, find the height of the balloon.
45. If the angle of elevation of a cloud from a point h metres above a lake is a and the angle of
depression of its reflection in the lake be b, prove that the distance of the cloud from the point of
2h sec α
observation is .
tan β − tan α
46. The angle of elevation of the top of a hill at the foot of a tower is 60° and the angle of elevation of
the top of the tower from the foot of the hill is 30°. If the tower is 50 m high, what is the height
of the hill?  [CBSE Delhi 2017]

47. The angle of elevation of a cloud from a point 60 m above a lake is 30° and the angle of depression
of the reflection of the cloud in the lake is 60°. Find the height of the cloud from the surface of the
lake.  [CBSE Delhi 2017]
48. From the top of a tower, the angles of depression of two objects on the same side of the tower are
found to be a and b(a > b). If the distance between the objects is p metres, show that the height
p tan α tan β
h of the tower is given by h = metres.
tan α − tan β

49. A bird is sitting on the top of a tree, which is 80 m high. The angle of elevation of the bird, from
a point on the ground is 45°. The bird flies away from the point of observation horizontally and
remains at a constant height. After 2 seconds, the angle of elevation of the bird from the point of
observation becomes 30°. Find the speed of flying of the bird. [CBSE Delhi 2016]
50. The angle of elevation of the top Q of a vertical tower PQ from a point X on the ground is 60°.
From a point Y, 40 m vertically above X, the angle of elevation of the top Q of tower is 45°. Find
the height of the tower PQ and the distance PX. (Use 3 =1.73) [CBSE (AI) 2016]
51. From a point on the ground, the angle of elevation of the top of a tower is observed to be 60°.
From a point 40 m vertically above the first point of observation, the angle of elevation of the
top of the tower is 30°. Find the height of the tower and its horizontal distance from the point of
observation.  [CBSE (AI) 2016]
52. Two points A and B are on the same side of a tower and in the same straight line with its base.
The angles of depression of these points from the top of the tower are 60° and 45° respectively.
If the height of the tower is 15 m, then find the distance between these points.
 [CBSE Delhi 2017]
53. An aeroplane is flying at a height of 300 m above the ground. Flying at this height, the angles of
depression from the aeroplane of two points on both banks of a river in opposite directions are
45° and 60° respectively. Find the width of the river. [Use 3 = 1·732] [CBSE (AI) 2017]
54. The angles of depression of two ships from an aeroplane flying at the height of 7500 m are 30°
and 45°. If both the ships are in the same line and on the same side of the aeroplane such that
one ship is exactly behind the other, find the distance between the ships. [Use 3 = 1·73]
 [CBSE (F) 2017]

306 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 Answers
1. (i) (a) (ii) (c) (iii) (b) (iv) (a) (v) (b)
2. (i) acute (ii) increases (iii) 45° (iv) 45° (v) depression
3. 60° 4. 3 : 1 5. 100 3 m 6. 12 m 7. 45° 8. b is greater
9 3
9. 45° 10. 5 m 11. False 12. False 13. m
5

14. ∠C = (90 – f), ∠D = q 15. 45° 16. 8 m

17. 30 3 m 18. 19 m 20. 6.83 m 21. 79.41 m 22. 23.66 m
23. 10 3 m, 40 m 24. 118.28 m, 68.25 m 25. 189.28 m 26. 73.2 m
27. height of hill = 150 m
28. speed of boat = 57.73 m/min 29. 60 m, 20 m, 20 3 m 30. 50 2 m
31. height of tower = 6.83 m 32. 34.64 m
33. Speed of boat is (75 – 25 3 ) m/min or 31.7 m/min

34. width of river = 20 3 m and height of pole = 40 m

35. 42.42 m 36. height of tower = 12 + 4 3 m = distance between tower and building
37. 75 ( 3 – 1) m 38. 25 3 m, 75 m 39. 10 3 m, 10 m
40. 8 m 41. 73.2 m 42. 91.65 m, 146.7 m 43. 17.3 m, 30 m
44. 50(3 + 3 )m 46. 150 m 47. 120 m 49. 29.28 m/s
50. 54.6 m, 94.6 m 51. 60 m; 20 3 m 52. 5(3– 3 )m
53. 473.2 m 54. 5475 m

SELF-ASSESSMENT TEST
Time allowed: 1 hour Max. marks: 40

Section A
1. Choose and write the correct option in the following questions. (4 × 1 = 4)
(i) The ratio of the length of a pole and its shadow is 3 : 1. The angle of elevation of the sun
is
(a) 30° (b) 45° (c) 60° (d) 90°
(ii) If the angles of elevation of a tower from two points at distances r and s where r > s from
its foot and in the same straight line from it are 30° and 60°, then the height of the tower is
r
(a) r + s (b) r – s (c) rs (d) s
(iii) A lamp post 5 3 m high casts a shadow 5 m long on the ground. The Sun’s elevation at
this point is
(a) 30° (b) 45° (c) 60° (d) 90°
(iv) The angle of elevation of a ladder leaning against a wall is 60° the foot of the ladder is 12.4
m away from the wall. The length of the ladder is
(a) 14.8 m (b) 6.2 m (c) 12.4 m (d) 24.8 m

Heights and Distances 307

 2. Fill in the blanks. (3 × 1 = 3)
(i) An angle measured in anticlockwise direction is considered to be _____________ .
 (positive/negative)
(ii) The angle of _____________ of an object is the angle for which the eye has to be raised
through from the horizontal in order to look at the object.
(iii) _____________ is the branch of mathematics which deals with the relations between the
sides and angles of triangle and calculation based on them.

3. Solve the following questions. (3 × 1 = 3)

(i) The tops of two poles of height 16 m and 10 m are connected by a wire. If the wire makes
an angle of 30° with the horizontal, find the length of the wire.
(ii) The angle of elevation of a ladder leaning against a wall is 30°, the foot of the ladder is
12 m away from the wall. What is the length of the ladder?
(iii) If the angle of elevation of top of a tower from a point on the ground which is 20 3 m
away from the foot of the tower is 30°, find the height of the tower.

Section B
QQ Solve the following questions. (3 × 2 = 6)
4. The shadow of a tower standing on a level plane is found to be 50 m longer when Sun’s elevation
is 30° than when it is 60°. Find the height of the tower.  [NCERT Exemplar]
5.
An observer 1.5 m tall is 20.5 m away from a tower 22 m high. Determine the angle of elevation
of the top of the tower from the eye of the observer. [NCERT Exemplar]
6.
The angle of elevation of the top of a tower from two points distant s and t from its foot are
complementary. Prove that the height of the tower is st . [NCERT Exemplar]

QQ Solve the following questions. (3 × 3 = 9)

7.
An observer finds the angle of elevation of the top of a tower from certain point is 30°. If the
observer moves 20 m towards the tower, the angle of elevation of the top increases by 15°. Find
the height of the tower. [NCERT Exemplar, CBSE Delhi 2017]
8.
The angles of depression of the top and bottom of a 50 m high building from the top of a tower
are 45° and 60° respectively. Find the height of the tower and the horizontal distance between
the tower and the building. (Use 3 = 1.73). [CBSE Delhi 2016]
9.
A man observes a car from the top of a tower, which is moving towards the tower with a uniform
speed. If the angle of depression of the car changes from 30° to 45° in 12 minutes, find the time
taken by the car now to reach the tower.  [CBSE (AI) 2017]

QQ Solve the following questions. (3 × 5 = 15)

10. From the top of a tower h m high, the angles of depression of two objects, which are in line with
the foot of the tower are a and b(b > a). Find the distance between the two objects.
 [NCERT Exemplar]

308 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 11. A window of a house is h metres above the ground. From the window, the angles of elevation and
depression of the top and the bottom of another house situated on the opposite side of the lane are
found to be a and b respectively. Prove that the height of the other house is h(1 + tan a cot b) metres.
 [NCERT Exemplar]

12. A ladder rests against a vertical wall at an inclination a to the horizontal. Its foot is pulled away
from the wall through a distance p so that its upper end slides a distance q down the wall and
p cos β − cos α
then the ladder makes an angle b to the horizontal. Show that = .
q sin α − sin β
 [NCERT Exemplar]

Answers
1. (i) (c) (ii) (c) (iii) (c) (iv) (d)
2. (i) positive (ii) elevation (iii) trigonometry
3. (i) 12 m (ii) 8 3 m (iii) 20 m
4. 25 3 m 5. 45° 7. 10 ^ 3 + 1 h m
8. 118.25 m, 68.25 m 9. 16 minutes 23 seconds
10. h (cot a– cot b) metre
zzz

Heights and Distances 309