Angle of Depression to ship word problem

Question

From the top of a 180-ft lighthouse, the angle of depression to a ship in the ocean is 26°. How far is the ship from the base of the lighthouse? (Round your answer to the nearest foot.)

Answer 1

Hello,

About your question, the possible solution is setting up the equation of tan 26 = 180/x which x is the distance from ship to lighthouse

tan 26 = 180/ x

x= 180/ tan 26

x= 180/ 1.1778753554

x~ 152.70ft

Answer 2

Carolina

Angle of depression from top of lighthouse to ship = angle of elevation from ship to top of lighthouse (draw a diagram) = 26°..

So if d is the distance.

180 / d = tan 26 °. So d = 180 / tan 26°

Mike