How far is the ship from the base of the cliff?

Question

A man standing on top of a 120 m vertical cliff sees a ship in water at a 9 degree depression angle. 

Answer 1

Let the distance of the ship be xm

 

For the right triangle formed by the ship, angle of depression  base = xm, height = 120m

 

height/base = tan(angleof depression)

 

or 120/x = tan(9deg) or x = 120/ tan(9 deg) = 757.650

 

The ship is 757.65 m away from the base of cliff.