Question

Two runners in a marathon determine that the angles of elevation of a news helicopter are 39.5 degrees and 42 degrees. If the helicopter is 1950 feet directly above the finish line how far apart are the runners?

Answer 1

see the attached figure to understand the problem

we know that
tan 42°=1950/BO---------> BO=1950/tan 42°-------> BO=2165.69 ft

tan 39.5°=1950/AO---------> AO=1950/tan 39.5°-------> AO=2365.54 ft

AB=AO-BO--------> AB=2365.54 ft-2165.69 ft-------> AB=199.85 ft

the answer is
The runners are 199.85 feet apart