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UNIT VII

TRIGONOMETRY
CHAPTER

TRIGONOMETRY
15
15.1 Height and Distance

PRACTICE 15.1
Read / Understand / Think / Do
Keeping Skill Sharp
1. (a) Define angle of elevation.
(b) Why is the angle of depression different from the angle of elevation ? Give reason.
(c) If a man observes a bird on the top of the pole from the ground, which angle is formed
with the horizontal line?
(d) What are the values of tan 60° and cos 45° ?
(e) What are the values of sin 30° and tan 45° ?
1
(f) If tan θ = , what is the value of the angle θ?
3
(g) If a ladder rests on a wall and makes the angle of 45° to the ground 20 ft far from the
wall, what is the height of the wall where the ladder is touched?
Solution:
(a) The angle of elevation is an angle that is formed between the horizontal line and a line of sight
from a point of observation to an object above the observer's line of sight.
(b) The angle of depression is different from the angle of elevation because the angle of elevation
is formed when the object is above the line of sight of observer whereas the angle of depression
is formed below the line of sight of observer.
(c) If a man observes a bird on the top of the pole from the ground, angle of elevation is formed
with the horizontal line.
1
(d) tan 60o = 3 and cos 45o =
2
1
(e) sin 30o = 2 and tan 45o = 1
1
(f) Since tan θ = = tan 30° ⇒ θ = 30°.
3
(g) As it forms the isosceles right angled triangle so the height of the wall where the ladder
touched is 20 ft.
1
2. Circle () the correct answer.
(a) When a lady observes a car on the road from the top of the house, which angle is formed?
(i) Obtuse angle (ii) Angle of elevation
(iii) Angle of depression (iv) Right angle
(b) When a boy observes a parrot on the tree from the ground, which angle is formed ?
(i) Obtuse angle (ii) Angle of elevation
(iii) Right angle (iv) Angle of depression
(c) What is the altitude of the sun at noon of the day at equator is ........................ .
(i) Acute angle (ii) Angle of depression
(iii) Angle of elevation (iv) Right angle
(d) A wire is tied to a pole of the height 30 ft to erect it. If the wire makes the angle of 45° to
ground, how far is the wire tied from the pole?
(i) 30 ft (ii) 30 3 ft (iii) 10 3 ft (iv) 20 3 ft
(e) The height of the erected tower is 150 ft. If an observer finds the angle of elevation as 30°,
what is the distance between the tower and the observer ?
(i) 150 ft (ii) 150 3 ft (iii) 75 3 ft (iv) 50 3 ft
(f) If a ladder rests on a wall and makes the angle of 60° to the ground 12 ft far from the
wall, what is the length of the ladder?
(i) 12 ft (ii) 6 ft (iii) 24 ft (iv) 6 3 ft
Solution:
(a) (iii) (b) (ii) (c) iv) (d) (i)
(e) (ii) (f) (iii)
Check Your Performance
3. Observe the following right-angled triangle and answer the following questions.
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
(a) Write the relation between x and y in each right-angled triangle.
(b) Find the values of x and y in each of the above right-angled triangle.
Solution:
(i) Here, in right-angled triangle ABC,
∠ABC = 90o, ∠ACB = 30o
Hypotenuse (h) = AC = x,
Perpendicular (p) = AB = 5 cm, Base (b) = BC = y
(a) We know that,
b
cos θ = h
BC
i.e. cos ∠ACB = AC
y
or, cos 30o = x

3 y
or, 2 =x
or, 2y = x 3

2
(b) We know that, p
p Again, sin θ = h
tan θ = b
AB
AB i.e. sin ∠ACB = AC
i.e. tan ∠ACB = BC
5 cm
o
5 cm or, sin 30o = y
or, tan 30 = y
1 5 cm
1 5 cm or, 2= x
or, = y
3 or, x = 10 cm
or, y = 5 3 cm

(ii) Here, in right-angled triangle IGH,


∠GHI = 90o, ∠IGH = 45o
Hypotenuse (h) = GI = x
Perpendicular (p) = HI = 15 cm, Base (b) = GH = y
(a) We know that,
b
cos θ = h
GH
i.e. cos∠IGH = IG
y
or, cos 45o = x
1 y
or, =
2 x
or, x = y 2
(b) We know that, p
p Again, sin θ = h
tan θ = b
HI
HI i.e. sin∠IGH = IG
i.e. tan∠IGH = GH
15 cm
15 cm or, sin 45o = x
or, tan45o = y
1 15 cm
15 cm or, = x
or, 1 = y 2
or, y = 15 cm or, x = 15 2 cm

(iii) Here, in right-angled triangle DEF,


∠EFD = 90o, ∠DEF = 30o
Hypotenuse (h) = DE = 13m
Base (b) = EF = x
Perpendicular (p) = FD = y
(a) We know that,
p
tan θ = b

3
FD
i.e. tan∠DEF = EF
x
or, tan 30o = y
1 x
or, =
3 y
or, y = x 3
(b) We know that, p
b Again, sin θ = h
cos θ = h
FD
EF i.e. sin∠DEF = DE
i.e. cos∠DEF = DE
y
x or, sin 30o = 13 m
or, cos 30o = 13 m
1 y
or, 2 = 13 m
3 x
or, 2 = 13 m 13
or, y = 2 = 6.5 m
13 3
or, x = 2 m
(iv) Here, in right-angled triangle JKL,
∠JKL = 90o, ∠KLJ = 30o
Hypotenuse (h) = LJ = y
Perpendicular (p) = JK = x, Base (b) = 1k = 12 m
(a) We know that,
p
sin θ = h
JK
i.e. sin∠KLJ = LJ
x
or, sin 30o = y
1 x
or, 2 = y
or, y = 2x
(b) We know that, p
b Again, tan θ = b
cos θ = h
JK
KL i.e. tan∠KLJ = KL
i.e. cos∠KLJ = LJ
x
12 m or, tan30o = 12 m
o
or, cos 30 = y
1 x
or, = 12 m
3 12 m 3
or, 2 = y
12 m
24 or, x = =4 3m
or, y = =8 3m 3
3

4
Answer the given questions for each problem.
4. (i) An iron pillar supports a wall. The lower end of the pillar makes an angle of 45° with the
ground and the lower end lies at the same horizon at a distance of 23 ft from the foot of
the wall.
(a) Which trigonometric ratio for the acute angle θ is used to find the height of the wall?
Write its ratio.
(b) Find the height of the wall.
(c) When the angle of elevation is 45° in a right triangle, what is the relation among its
perpendicular and base sides?
(ii) A lamp hanging on the lamppost of the height 40 ft is observed by an observer and finds
the angle of elevation of the lamp post to be 45°.
(a) Which trigonometric ratio for the acute angle θ is used to find the distance between
the lamppost and observer? Write its ratio.
(b) Find the distance between the lamppost and observer.
(iii) From a point 100 m away to the base of a building; the angle of depression from its top is
found to be 30°.
(a) Find the height of the building.
(b) When the angle of elevation is 30° in a right triangle, what is the relation among its
perpendicular and base sides?
(iv) A man observes a car on the road from the top of the tower of the height 250 m and finds
the angle of 60°.
(a) Find the distance between the tower and the man.
(b) When the angle of elevation is 60° in a right triangle, what is the relation among its
perpendicular and base sides?
Solution:
(i) Let CA be the length of pillar, AB be the height of wall, BC = 23 ft be the distance of foot of
iron pillar from wall. ∡BCA = 45° be the angle made by pillar at the horizon.
Now in right angled triangle ABC,
∠ABC = 90o, ∠BCA = 45o (Angle of elevation)
h = AC, p = AB = ?, b = BC = 23 ft
Now,
(a) As base (b) is given and perpendicular (p) is to find, the trigonometric ratio,
p
we use is tan θ. The ratio is given as tan θ = b
(b) We know that
AB p
tan ∠BCA = BC [∵ tan θ = b ]
AB
Or, tan 45o = 23 ft
AB
Or, 1 = 23 ft
Or, AB = 23 ft
Hence, the distance between the foot of the pillar and wall is 23 ft.
(c) When the angle of elevation is 45o in right triangle, the perpendicular and base will be equal.

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(ii) Let, AB = 40 ft be the height of lamppost, BC be the distance between lamppost and observer.
∠BCA = 45o be the angle of elevation to the lamp on lamppost.
Now, In right angled triangle ABC,
∠ABC = 90o
∠BCA = 45o
h = CA,
p = AB = 40 ft
b = BC = ?
(a) As perpendicular (p) is given and base (b) is to find, we use the trigonometric ratio
p
tangent and its ratio is tan θ = b .
(b) We know that,
p
tan θ = b
AB p
Or, tan∠BCA = BC [∵ tan θ = b ]
40 ft
Or, tan 45o = BC
40 ft
Or, 1 = BC
Or, BC = 40 ft
Hence, the distance between the lamppost and observer is 40 ft.
(iii) Let AB be the height of building, BC = 100 m be the distance between building and given
point. ∠EAC = 30o is the angle of depression from A, the top of building.
Now, In right angled triangle ABC, A
∠ABC = 90o, ∠BCA = ∠EAC = 30o
h = AC, p = AB = ?, b = BC = 100 m
(a) We know that,
AB p 30°
tan∠BCA = BC [∵ tanθ = b ] C B
100
AB
or, tan30o = 100 m
1 AB
or, = 100 m
3
100
or, AB = m = 57.74 m
3
Hence the distance between the building and the point is 57.74m.
(b) When angle of elevation is 30o the relation between perpendicular and base will be given
by tan 30o as,
p
tan30o = b
1 p
Or, =
3 b
C B
100
6
Or, b = p 3
(iv) Let BC = 250 m be the height of a tower, DC be the distance between the tower and a car.
∡ABD = 60o is the angle of depression from B, the top of tower.
Now, in right angled triangle BCD,
60°
∠BCD = 90°, ∠CDB = ∠ABD = 60°, h = BD
p = BC = 250 m, b = DC =?
(a) We know that,
BC p
tan ∠CDB = DC [∵ Tanθ = b ]
250 m
or, tan 60o = DC
250 m
or, 3 = DC
250
or, DC = m = 144.34 m
3
Hence, the distance between the building and the point is 144.34 m.
(b) When angle of elevation is 60o the relation between perpendicular and base will be given
by tan 60o as,
p
tan 60o = b
p
Or, 3=b

Or, p = b 3
5. (i) An observer 1.5 m tall observes the 60 m tall building at an angle of elevation of 45°.
(a) What is the angle of elevation? Define it.
(b) How far is the building from the point of observation? Find it.
(c) If the height of the observer is 'a', that of the building, 'b' and the distance between
them, 'd', then establish the relation between a, b and d in the above situation.
(ii) An observer observes the 60 m tall building from the 15 m high house and finds an angle
of elevation of 30°.
(a) What kind of angle is formed when the observer observes the top of the building
from the top of the house ?
(b) How far is the building from the point of observation? Find it.
(c) If the height of the house is 'a', that of the building, 'b' and the distance between
them, 'd', then write the relation between a, b and d in the above situation.
Solution:
(i) Let, AD = 60 m be the height of building,
BE = 1.5 m be the height of observer,
and ∠ABC = 45o is the angle of elevation.
Now, CD = BE = 1.5 m
AC = AD – CD = 60 m – 1.5 m = 58.5 m, ∠ABC = 45o
(a) An angle of elevation is defined as an angle between the horizontal line and line of sight
from the observer's eye to some object above.

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(b) In right-angled triangle ABC,
AC p
tan ∠ABC = BC [∵ tanθ = b ]
58.5 m
Or, tan 45o = BC
58.5 m
Or, 1 = BC
Or, BC = 58.5m
Hence, the building is 58.5m far from the point of observation.
(c) Let, AB = 'b' be the height of building, BE = 'a' be the height of observer,
BC = 'd' be the distance between them.
Now, in above situation
AC = AD – CD = AD – BE = b – a and BC = d
Then the relation between a, b and d is determined by
AC p
tan ∠ABC = BC [∵ tan θ = b ]
b–a
Or, tan 45o = d
b–a
Or, 1 = d
i.e., d = b – a
(ii) Let, AD = 60m be the height of building,
BE = 15m be the height of observer
and ∠ABC = 30o is the angle of elevation.
Now, CD = BE = 15m
AC = AD – CD = 60m – 15m = 45m
∠ABC = 30o
(a) When the observer observes the top of building from the top of a house, it forms angle of
elevation.
(b) In right-angled triangle ABC,
AC p
tan ∠ABC = BC [∵ tan θ = b ]
45 m
Or, tan 30o = BC
1 45 m
Or, =
3 BC
Or, BC = 45 3 m.
Hence, the building is 45 3 m far from the point of observation.
(c) Let, AB = 'b' be the height of building, BE = 'a' be the height of observer,
BC = 'd' be the distance between them.
Now, in above situation
AC = AD – CD = AD – BE = b – a and BC = d
Then the relation between a, b and d is determined by

8
AC p
tan ∠ABC = BC [∵ tanθ = b ]
b–a
Or, tan30o = d
1 b–a
Or, = d
3
Or, d = 3 b – 3 a
i.e. 3 b = 3 a + d.
6. (i) From the top of a house 15 m high, a man of 1.5 m tall observes the angle of depression of
a motorbike to be 60°.
(a) What is the angle of depression ? Define it.
(b) How far is the motorbike from the bottom of the house? Find it.
(c) If the height of the man is 'a', that of the house, 'b' and the distance between them,
'd', write the relation between a, b and d in the above situation.
(ii) From the top of a tower 150 m high, a man of 1.5 m tall observes the angle of depression
of a car on the road to be 30°.
(a) How far is the car from the bottom of the tower? Find it.
(b) If the height of the man is 'a', that of the tower, 'b' and the distance between them,
'd', write the relation between a, b and d in the above situation.
Solution:
(i) Let, BC = 15 m be the height of house,
AB = 1.5 m be the height of observer,
and ∠EAD = 60o is the angle of depression of motorbike at D from A .
Now, AC = AB + BC = 15 m + 1.5 m = 16.5 m
∠ADC = ∠EAD = 30o
(a) An angle that is formed with the horizontal line if the line of sight is downward from the
horizontal line is called angle of depression.
(b) In Right angled triangle ACD,
AC p
tan∠ADC = DC [∵ tanθ = b ]
16.5
Or, tan60o = DC
16.5 m
Or, 3 = DC
16.5
Or, DC = m = 9.53 m
3
Hence, the motorbike is 9.53 m far from the bottom of the house.
(c) Let, BC = 'b' be the height of house, AB = 'a' be the height of observer,
DC = 'd' be the distance between house and motorbike.
Now, in above situation
AC = AB + BC = a + b and DC = d
Then the relation between a, b and d is determined by

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AC p
tan ∠ABC = DC [∵ tanθ = b ]
a+b
Or, tan60o = d
a+b
Or, 3= d

i.e. d 3 = a + b
(ii) Let, BC = 150 m be the height of tower,
AB = 1.5m be the height of observer,
and ∠EAD = 30o is the angle of depression of car at D from A .
Now, AC = AB + BC = 150 m + 1.5 m = 151.5 m
∠ADC = ∠EAD = 30o
(a) In right-angled triangle ACD,
AC p
tan ∠ADC = DC [∵ tanθ = b ]
151.5 m
Or, tan30o = DC
1 151.5 m
Or, = DC
3
Or, DC = 151.5 3 m = 262.41 m
Hence, the motorbike is 262.41 m far from the bottom of the tower.
(b) Let, BC = 'b' be the height of house, AB = 'a' be the height of observer,
DC = 'd' be the distance between house and motorbike.
Now, in above situation
AC = AB + BC = a + b and DC = d
Then the relation between a, b and d is determined by
AC p
tan ∠ABC = DC [∵ tanθ = b ]
a+b
Or, tan30o = d
1 b–a
Or, = d
3
i.e. d = (a + b) 3
7. (i) A 42 feet high Nepal’s national flag casts a shadow of 24.25 feet in an afternoon.
(a) Define the altitude of the sun.
(b) Find the altitude of the sun in the abov situation.
(c) How long shadow of a building of the height 250 ft does the sun cast at the same
time? Find it.
(d) Write the relation between the height of the flag and building at the same time.
(ii) A 2 m high stick casts a shadow of 6 m long on the ground.
(a) Find the height of the sun.
(b) What is the length of the shadow of a 360 ft high tower at the same time ? Find.
(c) Write the relation between the height of the stick and tower at the same time.

10
Solution:
(i) Let, AB = 42 ft be the height of Nepal's national flag,
BC = 24.25 ft be the length of shadow casted by
the flag. ∠ACB = θ be the altitude of sun.
Now,
(a) An angle made by a ray of the sun light at the ground or horizontal
line, is called the altitude of the sun.
AB p
(b) tan∠ACB = BC [∵ tanθ = b ]
42
Or, tan θ = 24.25

Or, tan θ = 1.73 = Tan60o


i.e. θ = 60o
Hence, the altitude of sun is 60o.
(c) AB = 250 ft be the height of building, BC be the length of shadow casted by the building.
∠ACB = 60o be the altitude of sun.
We get,
AB p
tan∠ACB = BC [∵ tanθ = b ]
250 ft
Or, tan 60o = BC
250 ft
Or, 3 = BC
250 ft
i.e. BC = = 144.34 ft
3
Hence, the building casts the 144.34 ft long shadow at the 60o of sun's altitude.
(d) The relation between the height of the flag and the building at the same time has equal
tangent ratios and their height is proportional to their shadows.
(ii) Let, AB = 2 m be the height of stick, BC = 6 m be the length of shadow casted by the that
stick. ∡ACB = θ be the height/altitude of sun.
(a) Now,
AB p
tan∠ACB = BC [∵ tan θ = b ]
2
Or, tan θ = 6
1
Or, tan θ = 3

Or, tan θ = tan18.43o


i.e. θ = 18.43o
Hence, the height/altitude of sun is 18.43o.
(b) Let, AB = 360 m be the height of tower, BC be the length of shadow casted by the tower.
∠ACB = 18.43° be the altitude of sun.
Now,

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AB p
tan∠ACB = BC [∵ tanθ = b ]
250 ft
Or, tan18.43o = BC
1 360 m
Or, 3 = BC
i.e. BC =1080 ft
Hence, the tower casts the 1080 m long shadow at the 60o of sun's altitude.
(c) The relation between the height of the stick and the tower at the same time has equal
tangent ratios and their height is proportional to their shadows.
8. (i) A 10.5 m long ladder rests against a wall making an angle of 45° to the ground.
(a) What is hypotenuse in a right triangle ? In which ratios have the hypotenuse ?
(b) Find the height of the wall.
(c) Write the relation between the hypotenuse and perpendicular of a right triangle
when its reference angle is 45°.
(ii) A 24 m long ladder rests against a wall and the upper end of the ladder reaches just 12 m
above the ground on the wall.
(a) Find the angle that the ladder makes with the ground.
(b) How far the bottom of the ladder is from the wall ? Find.
(c) Write the relation between the hypotenuse and perpendicular of a right triangle
when its reference angle is 30°.
Solution:
(i) Let, AB be the height of wall,
AC = 10.5 m be the length of ladder
and makes ∠ACB = 45o.
(a) The side opposite to the right angle in right angled triangle is
called Hypotenuse. The sine and cosine ratios have the
hypotenuse in them.
(b) We know that,
AB p
sin∠ACB = AC [∵ sinθ = h ]
AB
Or, sin 45o = 10.5 m
1 AB
Or, =
2 10.5 m
10.5 m
Or, AB = = 7.42 m
2
Hence, the height of wall is 7.42m.
p
(c) Since, sin θ = h and θ = 45o
p
So, sin 45o = h
1 p
Or, =
2 h
Or, h = p 2

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(ii) Let AC = 12 m be the height of wall
and AB = 24 m be the length of ladder.
BC be the distance between the bottom of ladder
and wall. ∠ABC = θ be the angle made by ladder
with the ground.
(a) We know that,
AC p
Sin∠ABC = AB [∵ sinθ = h ]
12
Or, sinθ = 24
1
Or, sinθ = 2 = sin30o
∴ θ = 30o
Hence, the ladder makes 30o with the ground.
(b) We know that,
AC p
tan∠ABC = BC [∵ tanθ = b ]
12 m
Or, tan30o = BC
1 12
Or, = BC
3
Or, BC = 12 3 m
Hence, the bottom of ladder is 12 3 m far from the wall.
(b) We know that the relation between the hypotenuse and perpendicular is given by sine ratio,
p
so, sin 30o = h
1 p
or, 2 = h
or, h = 2p
9. (i) From the balcony 23 m below the top of a tower 100 m high, the angle of depression of
top of a lamp post 15 m tall is 45°. How far is the lamp post from the foot of the tower?
(ii) From the top of the Dharahara of 203 feet high, a man observes the roof of the building of
Nepal Telecom of the height 55 feet and finds the angle of depression of 30°. How far is
the building from the Dharahara?
Solution:
(i) Let, AF = 100 m be the height of tower, B is a point 23 m below from
the top of the tower A, so that AB = 23 m, DE = 15 m be the height of
lamp post, ∠GBD = 45o be the angle of depression and EF be the
distance between lamppost and tower.
Here, in right-angled triangle BDC,
BC = BF – CF = (AF – AB) – DE = 100 m – 23 m –15 m = 62 m
∠BDC = ∠ GBD = 45o
DC = EF = ?

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We know that,
BC p
tan∠BDC = DC [∵ tanθ = b ]
62 m
or, tan 45o = EF
62 m
or, 1 = EF
or, EF = 62 m
Hence, the lamppost is 62 m far from the foot of the tower.
(ii) Let, AB = 203 ft be the height of Dharahara, CD = 55 ft be the height
of building of Nepal Telecom and ∠FAD = 30° be the angle of
depression.
Now, In right angle triangle ADE,
AE = AB – BE = AB – CD = 203 ft – 55 ft = 148 ft
∠ADE = ∠FAD = 30o
DE = BC = ?
We know that,
AE p
tan∠ADE = DC [∵ tanθ = b ]
148 ft
or, tan30o = BC
1 148 ft
or = BC
3
or, BC = 148 3 ft
Hence, the building of Nepal Telecom is 148 3 ft far from the Dharahara.
10. (i) A flag of 30 m high is fixed at the center of the cricket ground. A cricketer observes its
top from the edge of the ground and finds to be an angle of 30°.
(a) Find the diameter of the ground.
(b) Find the circumference of the ground.
(c) Establish the relation between its diameter and circumference for the above
situation.
(ii) A girl of 5.3ft high observes the fixed pole of 30 ft high at the center of the circular pole
and she finds to be an angle of 60o from the edge of its circumference.
(a) Find the length of its radius.
(b) Find the circumference of the ground.
(c) Establish the relation between its radius and circumference.
Solution:
(i) Let, AB = 30 m be the height of a flag fixed at the centre of cricket
ground. BC be the distance from centre to edge of ground and
∠ACB = 30o be the angle of elevation.
We know that,
AB p
tan∠ACB = BC [∵ tanθ = b ]

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30 m
or, tan 30o = BC
1 30 m
or, =
3 BC
or, BC = 30 3 m
(a) Since, Radius (r) of ground (c) = BC = 30 3 m
Diameter (d) of ground (d) = 2r =2×BC = 2 × 30 3 = 60 3 m = 103.92 m.
22 22
(b) Circumference of the ground (c) = 2πr = 2 × 7 × 30 3 = 2 × 7 × 51.96 m= 326.62 m
(c) We know c denotes its circumference and d denotes the diameter.
Again, from the above calculation,
22 22 22
c = 326.62 = 2 × 7 × 30 3 = 7 × 60 3 = 7 × d
Hence, 7c = 22d is required relation between its circumference and diameter.
(ii) Let, AD = 30 ft be the height of pole fixed at the centre (D) of circular
pond, CE = 5.3ft be the height of girl standing at the edge (E) of pond.
DE be the radius or distance between girl and pole. ∠ABC = 60o be the
angle of elevation.
Now, in right-angled triangle ABC,
AC = AD – CD = AD – BE = 30 ft – 5.3 ft = 24.7 ft
BC = DE = ?
We know that,
AC p
tan ∠ABC = BC [∵ tanθ = b ]
24.7 ft
or, tan 60o = DE
24.7 ft
or, 3 = DE
24.7 ft
or, DE = = 14.26 ft
3
(a) Its radius (r) = DE = 14.26 ft
22 22 24.7 ft
(b) Its circumference (c) = 2πr = 2 × 7 × 14.26 ft = 2 × 7 × = 89.63 ft
3
(c) Again, from the above calculation,
22
c=2× 7
22 24.7 ft
or, c = 2 × 7 ×
3
22
or, c = 2 × 7 × r
or 7c = 44r is the required relation.

15
11. (i) A tall tree is broken by the storm and has made an angle of 60° at 24 meter apart from its
base.
(a) Find the length of the broken part of the tree.
(b) Find the height of the tree before broken.
(c) How much percentage of part of the tree is remained on the ground?
(ii) A 88m tall tree is broken by the storm and its top makes an angle of 30° with the ground.
(a) Find the length of the broken part of the tree.
(b) How much percentage of part of the tree is remained on the ground?
Solution:
(i) Let, BC' be the height of tree before broken, and AB = 24 m be
the height of remaining part of the tree, BC = 24 m be the
distance between the base (B) of tree and top (C) of tree. ∠ACB
= 60o be the angle of elevation made by broken part of the tree on
the ground.
In right-angled triangle ABC,
(a) We know that
BC b
cos∠ACB = AC [∵ cos θ = h ]
24 m
or, cos60o = AC
1 24 m
or, 2 = AC
or, AC = 48 m
Hence, the length of broken part of tree is 48 m.
(b) We know that,
AB p
tan∠ACB = BC [∵ tan θ = b ]
AB
or, tan 60o = 24 m
AB
or, 3 = 24 m

or, AB = 24 3 m= 41.57 m
∴ The height of tree BC' = BA + AC = 48 m + 41.57 m = 89.57m
Hence, the height of tree before broken is 89.57m.
41.57
(c) The percentage of remaining part of the tree on the ground = 89.57 × 100% = 46.41%.
(ii) Let, BC' = 88 m be the height of tree before broken, AC = x m be
the length of broken part and AB = (88 – x) m be the height of
broken part. ∠ACB = 30o be the angle of elevation made by top
(C) of broken part of the tree with the ground.
Now in right-angled triangle ABC,
(a) We know that,
AB p
sin∠ACB = AC [∵ sin θ = h ]

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(88 – x) m
or, sin30o = xm
1 (88 – x) m
or, 2 = xm
or, x = 176 – 2x
or, 3x = 176
or, x = 58.67 m
Hence, the length of broken part of tree is 58.67 m.
(b) Remaining part (AB) = 88 – x = 88 – 58.67 = 29.33 m
29.33
So, the percentage of remaining part of the tree on the ground = 88 × 100% = 33.33%

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Additional Practice – VII
1. Find the values of x and y in each of the right-angled triangle given below:
(a) (b) (c)

Solution:
(a) In right-angled triangle NPO,
∠NPO = 90°, ∠PON = 45°, h = NO, p = NP = x m, b = PO = 12 m
We know that,
p
tan 45° = b
x
or, 1 = 12 m
or, x = 12 m
Again, In right angled triangle NMP
∠NMP = 90°, ∠MPN = 45°, h = PN, p = MP = y m, b = MN
We know that,
b
cos 45° = h
1 y
or, =
2 12 m
12
or, y=
2
∴ y=6 2m
(b) In right-angled triangle ADE,
∠ADE = 90°, ∠AED = 30°, h = AE = x cm, p = AD = CD = 8 cm, b = DE = y cm
We know that,
p
tan 30o = b
1 8 cm
or, = y
3
or, y = 8 3 cm
Again, in right-angled triangle NMP,
p
sin 30° = h
1 8
or, 2 = x
or, x = 16 cm

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(c) In right-angled triangle RTS,
∠RTS = 90°, ∠TRS = 30°, h = Rs. = x, p = TS = 1 m, b = RT
We know that,
p
sin 30° = h
1 1m
or, 2 = x
or, x = 2 m
p
Also, tan 30o = b
1 1m
or, =
3 RT
or, RT = 3 m
Again, in right-angled triangle QRT,
∠RTQ = 90°, ∠QRT = 30°, h = QR = y, p = QT, b = RT = 3 m
We know that,
b
cos30o = h

3 3
or, 2 = y
or, y = 2 m.
2. A railway uphill makes the angle of elevation of 15° with horizon. A train travels 6 km on the
railway track. How high is the train from the horizon? [Use sin15° = 0.26]
Solution:
Let, AC be the height of railway uphill, AB = 6 km be the length of
railway track that the train traveled. ∠ABC = 15° be the angle of
elevation.
In right-angled triangle ABC,
∠ACB = 90°, ∠ABC = 15°, h = AB = 6 km, p = AC = ?, b = BC
We know that,
p
sin15° = h
AC
or, 0.26 = 6 km
or, AC = 1.56 km
Hence, the train goes up 1.56 km high from the horizon.
3. An aeroplane flies at a constant height of 1200 m above the ground. At some distance the
radar at the airport reads the angle of elevation of 30°. How far is the aeroplane from the
airport?
Solution:
Let, AB = 1200 m be the height of an aeroplane above the ground, BC be the
distance between airport and plane, ∡ACB = 30o be the angle of elevation.
In right-angled triangle ABC,

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∠ABC = 90°, ∠ACB = 30°, h = AC, p = AB = 1200 m, b = BC = ?
We know that,
p
tan 30° = b
1 1200 m
or, = BC
3
or, BC = 1200 3 m
or, BC = 2078.46 m
Hence, the aeroplane is 2078.46 m far from the airport.
4. The Red Machhindranath chariot, the longest festival of the world, is supported by a 40 feet
long rope at 20 feet below the top. If the rope makes an angle of 75° when the men of the
average height of 5 feet are pulling tightly, what is the height of the chariot? [Use sin75° =
0.966]
Solution:
Let, AD be the height of chariot, B is the point below 20 ft from the top of chariot
so that AB = 20 ft, FB = 40 ft be the length of rope to support the chariot,
FE = 5 ft be the height of the man to pull the rope. ∠BCF = 75° be the angle
of elevation made by the supporting rope.
In right-angled triangle BFC,
∠BCF = 90°, ∠BCF = 75°
h = FB = 40 ft,
p = BC = AD – AB – CD = AD – 20 ft – 5 = AD – 25 ft
We know that,
p
sin 75° = h
AD – 25 ft
or, 0.966 = 40
or, 38.64 = AD – 25 ft
or, AD = 63.64 ft
Hence, the height of Red Machhindranath Chariot is 63.64 ft.
5. A 15 cm long pencil casts a shadow of 15 3 cm in an afternoon. A rod casts a shadow of 30 m
long at the same time. How long is the rod?
Solution:
Let, AB = 15 cm be the height of pencil and DE be that of rod. Also, let BC
= 15 3 cm be the length of shadow casted by pencil and CE = 30 cm be that
of rod. ∠ACB = ∠DCE = θ be the altitude of sun.
In right-angled triangle ABC,
∠ABC = 90°, ∠ACB = θ, h = AC, p = AB = 15 cm, b = BC = 15 3 cm
We know that,
p
tan θ = b
15
or, tan θ =
15 3

20
1
or, tan θ = = tan30°
3
or, θ = 30°
Also, in right-angled triangle DEC,
∠DEC = 90°, ∠DCE = θ, h = DC, p = DE = ?, b = CE = 30 cm
We know that,
p
tan30° = b
1 DE
or, =
3 30 m
30 cm
or, DE = = 10 3 cm
3
Hence, the rod is 10 3 cm long.
6. How long the shadow of a 25 ft high post when the altitude of the sun changes from 45° to 30°?
Solution:
Let, AB = 25 ft be the height of post, BC be the length of shadow when the sun's altitude ∠ACB =
45° and BD be the length of shadow when the sun's altitude ∠ADB = 30°.
In right-angled triangle ABC,
∠ABC = 90°, ∠ACB = 45°, h = AC, p = AB = 25 ft, b = BC
We know that,
p
tan 45° = b
25 ft
or, 1 = BC
or, BC = 25 ft
Also, in right-angled triangle ABD,
∠ABD = 90°, ∠ADB = 30°, h = AD, p = AB = 25 ft, b = BD = BC + CD = 25 ft + CD
We know that,
p
tan30° = b
1 25 ft
or, = 25 ft + CD
3
or, 25ft + CD = 25 3 ft
or, CD = 25 3 ft – 25 ft
or, CD = 43.301 ft – 25 ft = 18.30 ft
Hence, the shadow will be 18.30 ft longer when sun's altitude changes from 45° to 30°.

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