CHAPTER 38 INTRODUCTION TO TRIGONOMETRY

EXERCISE 158 Page 427

1. Find the length of side x.

By Pythagoras’s theorem, 41=

2 x 2 + 402

from which, =
x 2 412 − 402 and x = 412 − 402 = 9 cm

2. Find the length of side x.

By Pythagoras’s theorem, 25=

2 x2 + 72

from which, =
x 2 252 − 7 2 and x = 252 − 7 2 = 24 m

3. Find the length of side x, correct to 3 significant figures.

By Pythagoras’s theorem, =
x 2 4.7 2 + 8.32

from which, x= 4.7 2 + 8.32 = 9.54 mm

4. In a triangle ABC, AB = 17 cm, BC = 12 cm and ∠ABC = 90°. Determine the length of AC,

correct to 2 decimal places.

634 © 2014, John Bird

Triangle ABC is shown sketched below.

By Pythagoras’s theorem, AC=

2 17 2 + 122

from which, AC = 17 2 + 122 = 20.81cm

5. A tent peg is 4.0 m away from a 6.0 m high tent. What length of rope, correct to the nearest

centimetre, runs from the top of the tent to the peg?

The tent peg is shown as C in the sketch below, with AB being the tent height.

By Pythagoras, length of rope, AC = 6.02 + 4.02 = 7.21 m

6. In a triangle ABC, ∠B is a right-angle, AB = 6.92 cm and BC = 8.78 cm. Find the length of the

hypotenuse.

Triangle ABC is shown sketched below.

635 © 2014, John Bird

By Pythagoras’s theorem, =
AC 2 6.922 + 8.782

from which, hypotenuse, AC = 6.922 + 8.782 = 11.18 cm

7. In a triangle CDE, D = 90°, CD = 14.83 mm and CE = 28.31 mm. Determine the length of DE.

Triangle CDE is shown sketched below.

By Pythagoras’s theorem, =
28.312 DE 2 + 14.832

from which, =
DE 2 28.312 − 14.832 and DE = 28.312 − 14.832 = 24.11 mm

8. Show that if a triangle has sides of 8, 15 and 17 cm it is right-angled.

Pythagoras’s theorem applies to right-angled triangles only

Assuming the hypotenuse is 17, then 17=

2 152 + 82

i.e. 289 = 225 + 64

Since Pythagoras’s theorem may be applied, the triangle must be right-angled

9. Triangle PQR is isosceles, Q being a right angle. If the hypotenuse is 38.46 cm find (a) the lengths

of sides PQ and QR, and (b) the value of ∠QPR.

(a) Since triangle PQR in the diagram below is isosceles, PQ = QR

From Pythagoras, (38.47) 2 = ( PQ) 2 + (QR) 2 = 2( PQ) 2

38.47 2 38.47 2 38.47

( PQ ) =
2
from which, = and PQ = = 27.20 cm
2 2 2

Hence, PQ = QR = 27.20 cm

636 © 2014, John Bird

(b) Since triangle PQR is isosceles, ∠P = ∠R and since ∠Q = 90°, then ∠P + ∠R = 90°

Hence, ∠QPR = 45° (=∠QRP)

10. A man cycles 24 km due south and then 20 km due east. Another man, starting at the same time

as the first man, cycles 32 km due east and then 7 km due south. Find the distance between the

two men.

With reference to the diagram below, AB = 32 – 20 = 12 km

and BC = 24 – 7 = 17 km

Hence, distance between the two men, AC = (122 + 172 ) = 20.81 km by Pythagoras

11. A ladder 3.5 m long is placed against a perpendicular wall with its foot 1.0 m from the wall. How

far up the wall (to the nearest centimetre) does the ladder reach? If the foot of the ladder is now

moved 30 cm further away from the wall, how far does the top of the ladder fall?

Distance up the wall, AB = ( 3.52 − 1.02 ) = 3.35 m by Pythagoras

A' B = ( A ' C ')2 − ( BC ')2  = ( 3.52 − 1.302 ) = 3.25 m

 

Hence, the amount the top of the ladder has moved down the wall, given by AA′ = 3.35 – 3.25

= 0.10 m or 10 cm

637 © 2014, John Bird

12. Two ships leave a port at the same time. One travels due west at 18.4 knots and the other due

south at 27.6 knots. If 1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour, calculate how far apart the two ships

are after four hours.

After four hours, the ship travelling west travels 4 × 18.4 = 73.6 km, and the ship travelling south

travels 4 × 27.6 = 110.4 km, as shown in the diagram below

Hence, distance apart after four hours = ( 73.62 + 110.42 ) = 132.7 km by Pythagoras

13. The diagram shows a bolt rounded off at one end. Determine the dimension h.

Part of the bolt is shown below

638 © 2014, John Bird
 =
From Pythagoras, AB 2 AC 2 + BC 2 i.e. =
45 2 162 + BC 2 and =
BC 2 452 − 162

from which, length BC = ( 452 − 162 ) =

1769 = 42.06 mm

Length BD = radius = 45 mm, hence, h = CD = BD – BC = 45 – 42.06 = 2.94 mm

14. The diagram shows a cross-section of a component that is to be made from a round bar. If the

diameter of the bar is 74 mm, calculate the dimension x.

From the above diagram, 0=

B 2 0 A2 + AB 2

x
where AB = , 0B = 37 mm (radius) and 0A = 72 – 37 = 35 mm
2

Hence, AB 2 =0 B 2 − 0 A2 =37 2 − 352 and AB = ( 372 − 352 ) = 12 mm

639 © 2014, John Bird

Hence dimension, x = 2 × 12 = 24 mm

640 © 2014, John Bird

EXERCISE 159 Page 430

1. Sketch a triangle XYZ such that ∠Y = 90°, XY = 9 cm and YZ = 40 cm. Determine sin Z, cos Z,

tan X and cos X.

Triangle XYZ is shown sketched below.

By Pythagoras’s theorem, XZ = 402 + 92 = 41

opposite XY 9 adjacent YZ 40
sin Z = = = cos Z = = =
hypotenuse XZ 41 hypotenuse XZ 41

opposite YZ 40 adjacent XY 9
tan X = = = cos X = = =
adjacent XY 9 hypotenuse XZ 41

2. In triangle ABC shown below, find sin A, cos A, tan A, sin B, cos B and tan B.

By Pythagoras’s theorem, AC = 52 − 32 = 4

opposite BC 3 adjacent AC 4 opposite BC 3

sin A = = = cos A = = = tan A = = =
hypotenuse AB 5 hypotenuse AB 5 adjacent AC 4

opposite AC 4 adjacent BC 3 opposite AC 4

sin B = = = cos B = = = tan B = = =
hypotenuse AB 5 hypotenuse AB 5 adjacent BC 3

15
3. If cos A = find sin A and tan A, in fraction form.
17

641 © 2014, John Bird

 15
Triangle ABC is shown sketched below where cos A =
17

By Pythagoras’s theorem, BC = 17 2 − 152 = 8

opposite BC 8 opposite BC 8
sin A = = = and tan A = = =
hypotenuse AC 17 adjacent AB 15

15
4. If tan X = , find sin X and cos X, in fraction form.
112

15
Triangle XYZ is shown sketched below where tan X =
112

By Pythagoras’s theorem, XZ = 152 + 1122 = 113

opposite YZ 15 adjacent XY 112

sin X = = = and cos X = = =
hypotenuse XZ 113 hypotenuse XZ 113

5. For the right-angled triangle shown, find: (a) sin α (b) cos θ (c) tan θ

opposite 15
(a) sin α = =
hypotenuse 17

642 © 2014, John Bird

 adjacent 15
(b) cos θ = =
hypotenuse 17
opposite 8
(c) tan θ = =
adjacent 15

7
6. If tan θ = , find sin θ and cos θ in fraction form.
24

7
Triangle ABC is shown sketched below where tan θ =
24

By Pythagoras’s theorem, AC = 242 + 7 2 = 25

opposite AB 7 adjacent BC 24
sin θ = = = and cos θ = = =
hypotenuse AC 25 hypotenuse AC 25

7. Point P lies at coordinate (–3, 1) and point Q at (5, –4). Determine (a) the distance PQ, and

(b) the gradient of the straight line PQ.

(a) From the diagram below, PQ = ( 52 + 82 ) = 9.434 by Pythagoras

1 − −4 5
(b) Gradient of PQ = = = –0.625
−3 − 5 −8

643 © 2014, John Bird

EXERCISE 160 Page 432

1. Determine, correct to 4 decimal places, 3 sin 66° 41′

Using a calculator, 3 sin 66° 41′ = 2.7550, correct to 4 decimal places

2. Determine, correct to 3 decimal places, 5 cos 14° 15′

Using a calculator, 5 cos 14° 15′ = 4.846, correct to 3 decimal places

3. Determine, correct to 4 significant figures, 7 tan 79° 9′

Using a calculator, 7 tan 79° 9′ = 36.52, correct to 4 significant figures

2π
4. Determine (a) sine (b) cos 1.681 (c) tan 3.672
3

Note that with no degrees sign, these angles are in radians

2π
(a) Using a calculator, sine = 0.8660
3

(b) Using a calculator, cos 1.681 = –0.1010

(c) Using a calculator, tan 3.672 = 0.5865

5. Find the acute angle sin −1 0.6734 in degrees, correct to 2 decimal places.

Using a calculator, sin −1 0.6734 = 42.33°

6. Find the acute angle cos −1 0.9648 in degrees, correct to 2 decimal places.

Using a calculator, cos −1 0.9648 = 15.25°

7. Find the acute angle tan −1 3.4385 in degrees, correct to 2 decimal places.

644 © 2014, John Bird

Using a calculator, tan −1 3.4385 = 73.78°

8. Find the acute angle sin −1 0.1381 in degrees and minutes.

Using a calculator, sin −1 0.1381 = 7.9379...° = 7° 56´ correct to the nearest minute

9. Find the acute angle cos −1 0.8539 in degrees and minutes.

Using a calculator, cos −1 0.8539 = 31.36157...° = 31° 22´ correct to the nearest minute

10. Find the acute angle tan −1 0.8971 in degrees and minutes.

Using a calculator, tan −1 0.8971 = 41.89528...° = 41° 54´ correct to the nearest minute

11. In the triangle shown, determine angle θ, correct to 2 decimal places.

5 5
From trigonometric ratios, tan θ = from which, θ = tan −1   = 29.05°
9 9

12. In the triangle shown, determine angle θ in degrees and minutes.

8  8 
From trigonometric ratios, sin θ = from which, θ = sin −1   = 20.35° = 20° 21′
23  23 
645 © 2014, John Bird
 4.5 cos 67° 34 '− sin 90°
13. Evaluate, correct to 4 decimal places:
2 tan 45°

4.5 cos 67° 34 '− sin 90°

Using a calculator, = 0.3586, correct to 4 decimal places
2 tan 45°

14. Evaluate, correct to 4 significant figures:

( 3sin 37.83° )( 2.5 tan 57.48° )
4.1 cos 12.56°

Using a calculator,
( 3sin 37.83° )( 2.5 tan 57.48° ) = 1.803, correct to 4 significant figures
4.1 cos 12.56°

15. For the supported beam AB shown in the diagram, determine (a) the angle the supporting stay

CD makes with the beam, i.e. θ, correct to the nearest degree, (b) the length of the stay, CD,

correct to the nearest centimetre.

AC 4.36  4.36 
(a) tan θ = = hence angle θ = tan −1   = 39.98° = 40° correct to nearest degree
AD 5.20  5.20 

=
(b) By Pythagoras, CD 2 4.362 + 5.202

from which, CD = 4.362 + 5.202 = 6.79 m

646 © 2014, John Bird

EXERCISE 161 Page 434

7
1. If cos X = determine the value of the other five trigonometric ratios.
25

A right-angled triangle XYZ is shown below.

7
Since cos X = , then XY = 7 units and XZ = 25 units
25
Using Pythagoras’s theorem: 252 = 72 + YZ2 from which YZ = 252 − 7 2 = 24 units

24 24 3 25 1
Thus, sin X = , tan X = =3 , cosec X = =1 ,
25 7 7 24 24

25 4 7
sec X = =3 and cot X =
7 7 24

2. If sin θ = 0.40 and cos θ = 0.50 determine the values of cosec θ, sec θ, tan θ and cot θ.

1 1 1 1
cosec θ = = = 2.50 sec θ = = = 2.00
sin θ 0.40 cos θ 0.50
sin θ 0.40 cos θ 0.50
tan θ = = = 0.80 cot θ = = = 1.25
cos θ 0.50 sin θ 0.40

3. Evaluate correct to 4 decimal places: (a) secant 73° (b) secant 286.45° (c) secant 155° 41’

1
(a) sec 73° = = 3.4203
cos 73°
1
(b) sec 286.45° = = 3.5313
cos 286.45°
1 1
(c) sec 155° 41' = = = –1.0974
cos155° 41' cos155 41°
60

647 © 2014, John Bird

4. Evaluate correct to 4 decimal places:

(a) cosecant 213° (b) cosecant 15.62° (c) cosecant 311° 50'

1
(a) cosec 213° = = –1.8361
sin 213°

1
(b) cosec 15.62° = = 3.7139
sin15.62°
1 1
(c) cosec 311° 50' = = = –1.3421
sin 311°50 ' sin 311 50°
60

5. Evaluate correct to 4 decimal places:

(a) cotangent 71° (b) cotangent 151.62° (c) cotangent 321° 23'

1
(a) cot 71° = = 0.3443
tan 71°

1
(a) cot 151.62° = = –1.8510
tan151.62°
1 1
(b) cot 321°23' = = = –1.2519
tan 321°23' 23°
tan 321
60

π
6. Evaluate correct to 4 decimal places: (a) sec (b) cosec 2.961 (c) cot 2.612
8

π 1
(a) sec = = 1.0824
8 π
cos
8
1
(b) cosec 2.961 = = 5.5675
sin 2.961
1
(c) cot 2.612 = = –1.7083
tan 2.612

7. Determine the acute angle of the following in degrees (correct to 2 decimal places), degrees and

minutes, and in radians (correct to 3 decimal places): sec −1 1.6214

648 © 2014, John Bird

  1 
sec −1 1.6214 = cos −1  −1
 = cos 0.61675... = 51.92° or 51°55' or 0.906 radians
 1.6214 

8. Determine the acute angle of the following in degrees (correct to 2 decimal places), degrees and

minutes, and in radians (correct to 3 decimal places): cosec −1 2.4891

 1 
cosec −1 2.4891 = sin −1  −1
 = sin 0.40175... = 23.69° or 23°41' or 0.413 radians
 2.4891 

9. Determine the acute angle of the following in degrees (correct to 2 decimal places), degrees and

minutes, and in radians (correct to 3 decimal places): cot −1 1.9614

 1 
cot −1 1.9614 = tan −1  −1
 = tan 0.50983.. = 27.01° or 27°1' or 0.471 radians
 1.9614 

6.4cosec 29°5' − sec81°

10. Evaluate correct to 4 significant figures.
2 cot12°

6.4cosec 29°5' − sec81°

Using a calculator, = 0.7199, correct to 4 significant figures
2 cot12°

11. If tan x = 1.5276, determine sec x, cosec x, and cot x (assume x is an acute angle).

If tan x = 1.5276 then x = tan −1 1.5276 = 56.79°

1
Hence, sec 56.79° = = 1.8258
cos 56.79°

1
cosec 56.79° = = 1.1952
sin 56.79°

1
and cot 56.79° = = 0.6546
tan 56.79°

12. Evaluate correct to 4 significant figures: 3 cot 14° 15' sec 23° 9'

Using a calculator, 3 cot 14° 15' sec 23° 9' = 12.85, correct to 4 significant figures

649 © 2014, John Bird

 cosec 27°19 ' + sec 45°29 '
13. Evaluate correct to 4 significant figures:
1 − cosec 27°19 'sec 45°29 '

cosec 27°19 ' + sec 45°29 '

Using a calculator, = –1.710, correct to 4 significant figures
1 − cosec 27°19 'sec 45°29 '

650 © 2014, John Bird

EXERCISE 162 Page 436

1. Evaluate, without using a calculator: 3 sin 30° – 2 cos 60°

1 1 3 1
3 sin 30° – 2 cos 60° = 3   − 2   =−1 =
2 2 2 2

2. Evaluate, without using a calculator, leaving in surd form: 5 tan 60° – 3 sin 60°

 3
5 tan 60° – 3 sin 60° = 5 ( 3 ) − 3   =
5 3−
3
3 =
7
3
 2  2 2

tan 60°
3. Evaluate, without using a calculator:
3 tan 30°

tan 60° 3 3 3 3
= = = =1
3 tan 30°  1  3 3
3 
 3

4. Evaluate, without using a calculator, leaving in surd form: (tan 45°)(4 cos 60° – 2 sin 60°)

  1   3 
(tan 45°)(4 cos 60° – 2 sin 60°) = (1)  4   − 2    = 2 − 3

  2   2  

tan 60° − tan 30°

5. Evaluate, without using a calculator, leaving in surd form:
1 + tan 30° tan 60°

1 3 −1 2
3−
tan 60° − tan 30° 3= = 3 3 = 1
=
1 + tan 30° tan 60°  1 
1+ 
 3
 3 ( )
1+1 2 3

651 © 2014, John Bird

EXERCISE 163 Page 437

1. Calculate the dimensions shown as x in (a) to (f), each correct to 4 significant figures.

x
(a) sin 70° = from which, x = 13.0 sin 70° = 12.22
13.0

x
(b) sin 22° = from which, x = 15.0 sin 22° = 5.619
15.0

x
(c) cos 29° = from which, x = 17.0 cos 29° = 14.87
17.0

4.30 4.30
(d) cos 59° = from which, x= = 8.349
x cos 59°

x
(e) tan 43° = from which, x = 6.0 tan 43° = 5.595
6.0

7.0 7.0
(f) tan 53° = from which, x= = 5.275
x tan 53°

652 © 2014, John Bird

2. Find the unknown sides and angles in the right-angled triangles shown. The dimensions shown

are in centimetres.

(a) By Pythagoras, AC = 3.02 + 5.02 = 5.831 cm

3.0  3.0 
tan C = from which, ∠C = tan −1   = 30.96°
5.0  5.0 

and ∠A =180° – 90° – 30.96° = 59.04°

(b) By Pythagoras, DE = 8.02 − 4.02 = 6.928 cm

4.0  4.0 
sin D = from which, ∠D = sin −1   = 30°
8.0  8.0 

and ∠F =180° – 90° – 30° = 60°

(c) ∠J =180° – 90° – 28° = 62°

HJ
sin 28° = from which, HJ = 12.0 sin 28° = 5.634 cm
12.0

653 © 2014, John Bird

 By Pythagoras, GH = 12.02 − 5.6342 = 10.60 cm

(d) ∠L =180° – 90° – 27° = 63°

LM
sin 27° = from which, LM = 15.0 sin 27° = 6.810 cm
15.0

By Pythagoras, KM = 15.02 − 6.8102 = 13.37 cm

(e) ∠N =180° – 90° – 64° = 26°

NP
tan 64° = from which, NP = 4.0 tan 64° = 8.201 cm
4.0

By Pythagoras, ON = 8.2012 + 4.02 = 9.124 cm

(f) ∠S =180° – 90° – 41° = 49°

RS
tan 41° = from which, RS = 5.0 tan 41° = 4.346 cm
5.0

By Pythagoras, QS = 4.3462 + 5.02 = 6.625 cm

3. A ladder rests against the top of the perpendicular wall of a building and makes an angle of 73°

with the ground. If the foot of the ladder is 2 m from the wall, calculate the height of the building.

The ladder is shown in the diagram below, where BC is the height of the building.

BC
Tan 73° = from which, height of building, BC = 2 tan 73° = 6.54 m
2

4. Determine the length x in the diagram.

654 © 2014, John Bird

From triangle ABC in the sketch above,

BC 5 5
tan 28° = = from which, x = = 9.40 mm
AB x tan 28°

5. A symmetrical part of a bridge lattice is shown. If AB = 6 m, angle BAD = 56° and E is the

midpoint of ABCD, determine the height h, correct to the nearest centimetre.

56°
In triangle ABE, ∠BAE = = 28°
2

BE BE
and sin 28° = = from which, BE = 6 sin 28° = 2.817 m
AB 6

Hence, height, h = 2 × 2.817 = 5.63 m

655 © 2014, John Bird

EXERCISE 164 Page 440

1. A vertical tower stands on level ground. At a point 105 m from the foot of the tower the angle of

elevation of the top is 19°. Find the height of the tower.

A side view is shown below with the tower being AB.

AB
Tan 19° = from which, height of tower, AB = 105 tan 19° = 36.15 m
105

2. If the angle of elevation of the top of a vertical 30 m high aerial is 32°, how far is it to the aerial?

A side view is shown below with the aerial being AB.

30 30
Tan 32° = from which, distance to aerial, BC = = 48 m
BC tan 32°

3. From the top of a vertical cliff 90.0 m high the angle of depression of a boat is 19° 50′. Determine

the distance of the boat from the cliff.

A side view is shown below with the cliff being AB. Since the angle of depression of a boat is 19° 50′

then ∠ACB = 19° 50'

656 © 2014, John Bird

 90.0 90.0
Tan 19° 50' = from which, distance of boat to the cliff, BC = = 249.5 m
BC tan19°50 '

4. From the top of a vertical cliff 80.0 m high the angles of depression of two buoys lying due west

of the cliff are 23° and 15°, respectively. How far are the buoys apart?

In the diagram below, the two buoys are shown as A and B

80 80
Tan 15° = from which, AC = = 298.56 m
AC tan15°

80 80
Tan 23° = from which, BC = = 188.47 m
BC tan 23°

Hence, distance apart, AB = AC – BC = 298.56 – 188.47 = 110.1 m

5. From a point on horizontal ground a surveyor measures the angle of elevation of the top of a

flagpole as 18° 40′. He moves 50 m nearer to the flagpole and measures the angle of elevation as

26° 22′. Determine the height of the flagpole.

A side view is shown below with the flagpole being AB.

h
Tan 18°40' = from which, height h = (tan 18°40´)(50 + BD)
50 + BD

657 © 2014, John Bird

 = (0.337833)(50 + BD) = 16.89165 + 0.337833(BD)

h
Tan 26°22' = from which, height, h = (tan 26°22´)(BD)
BD
= (0.495679)(BD) (1)

Equating the h values gives: 16.89165 + 0.337833(BD) = (0.495679)(BD)

from which, 16.89165 = 0.495679(BD) – 0.337833(BD)

i.e. 16.89165 = 0.157846(BD)

16.89165
and BD = = 107.01 m
0.157846

Hence, from equation (1), height of flagpole = (0.495679)(BD) = 0.495679 × 107.01 = 53.0 m

6. A flagpole stands on the edge of the top of a building. At a point 200 m from the building the

angles of elevation of the top and bottom of the pole are 32° and 30°, respectively. Calculate the

height of the flagpole.

In the diagram below, the flagpole is shown as AB.

AC
Tan 32° = from which, AC = 200 tan 32° = 124.97 m
200

BC
Tan 30° = from which, BC = 200 tan 30° = 115.47 m
200

Hence, height of flagpole, AB = AC – BC = 124.97 – 115.47 = 9.50 m

7. From a ship at sea, the angles of elevation of the top and bottom of a vertical lighthouse standing

on the edge of a vertical cliff are 31° and 26°, respectively. If the lighthouse is 25.0 m high,

calculate the height of the cliff.

A side view is shown below with the lighthouse being AB.

658 © 2014, John Bird

 h h
Tan 26° = from which, DC = = 2.0503h
DC tan 26°

h + 25 h + 25
Tan 31° = from which, DC = = 1.66428(h + 25) = 1.66428h + 41.607
DC tan 31°

Equating the DC values gives: 2.0503h = 1.66428h + 41.607

i.e. 2.0503h – 1.66428h = 41.607

i.e. 0.3860h = 41.607

41.607
from which, height of cliff, h = = 107.8 m
0.3860

8. From a window 4.2 m above horizontal ground the angle of depression of the foot of a building

across the road is 24° and the angle of elevation of the top of the building is 34°. Determine,

correct to the nearest centimetre, the width of the road and the height of the building.

In the diagram below, D is the window, the width of the road is AB and the height of the building

across the road is BC.

In the triangle ABD, ∠D = 90° – 24° = 66°

AB
Tan 66° = hence, width of road, AB = 4.2 tan 66° = 9.43 m
4.2
CE CE CE
From triangle DEC, tan 34° = = = from which, CE = 9.43 tan 34° = 6.36 m
DE AB 9.43
659 © 2014, John Bird
Hence, height of building, BC = CE + EB = CE + AD = 6.36 + 4.2 = 10.56 m

9. The elevation of a tower from two points, one due west of the tower and the other due east of it

are 20° and 24°, respectively, and the two points of observation are 300 m apart. Find the height

of the tower to the nearest metre.

In the diagram below, the height of the tower is AB and the two observation points are at C and D.

AB
Tan 20° = from which, AB = BC tan 20°
BC
AB
Tan 24° = from which, AB = (300 – BC) tan 24°
300 − BC
i.e. BC tan 20° = (300 – BC) tan 24° = 300 tan 24° – BC tan 24°

i.e. 0.36397 BC = 133.57 – 0.44523 BC

i.e. 0.8092 BC = 133.57

133.57
and BC = = 165.06 m
0.8092
AB
Tan 20° = from which, height of tower, AB = 165.06 tan 20° = 60 m, to the nearest metre
165.06

660 © 2014, John Bird