Question

A pirate sits in a crows nest at the top of his ship. He spots land at an angle of depression of 19°. If the pirate is 24 feet above sea level, how far away is the ship from land?

Answer 1

Answer:

69.7 feet.

Step-by-step explanation:

See the diagram attached to this answer.

Let us assume that B is the top point of the ship from where the angle of depression of the land at C is 19°.

So, ABC forms a right triangle where ∠ C is 19° and side AB = 24 feet and we have to find AC.

Now, $\tan 19 = \frac{AB}{AC} = \frac{24}{x}$ {Where x is the measure of AC i.e. distance from ship to land}

⇒ $x =\frac{24}{\tan 19} = 69.7$ feet. (Answer)