Finding Height precalc problem

Question

Two observers are 600 ft apart on opposite sides of a flagpole. The angles of elevation from the observers to the top of the flagpole are 19 degrees and 21 degrees. Find the height of the flagpole.

Answer 1

Draw a figure!!!!

x/h = cot 21 and y/h =cot 19

x+y=600=h(cot 21 + cot 19)

You now have 2 choices: either use the addition formula for cot or look up the cot of each angle...in any event you need to evaluate the sum of the 2 cot's and divide into 600 to get h.