Question

A ranger spots a forest fire while on a 45-meter observation tower. The angle of depression from the tower to the fire is 12°. To the nearest meter, how far is the fire from the base of the tower?

212 meters
10 meters
216 meters
71 meters

Answer 1

Correct answer is A.

$\tan{12^o}= \frac{45}{x} \\ \\x= \frac{45}{\tan{12^o}}} \\ \\x \approx 212 \text{ m}$