Geometry Question!!

Question

A helicopter flying 3,786 feet above ground spots the top of a 180-foot tall tower at an angle of depression of 73º. How far must the helicopter fly to be directly over the tower?

Answer 1

Difference between helicopter height and tower height is 3786 - 180 = 3606.

Angle of elevation from top of tower to helicopter = angle of depression from helicopter to tower = 73 degrees

3606 feet difference is opposite 73 degree angle

Horizontal distance from helicopter to over tower we are trying to find (x) is adjacent side to 73 degree angle

tan(73) = 3606/x

x = 3606/tan(73) = 1102.5 feet