Question

A pole 5 m high is fixed on the top of a tower. The angle of elevation of the top the pole observed from a point A on the ground is $60{}^\circ $ and the angle of depression of the point A from the top of the tower is $45{}^\circ $. Find the height of the tower.

Answer 1

Hint: First we draw a diagram by using the information given that a pole 5 m high is fixed on the top of a tower. The angle of elevation of the top the pole observed from a point A on the ground is $60{}^\circ $ and the angle of depression of the point A from the top of the tower is $45{}^\circ $. Let us assume the height of the tower is $x$. By using the trigonometric ratio property we solve the question.

Complete step-by-step solution:
We have given that a pole 5 m high is fixed on the top of a tower. The angle of elevation of the top the pole observed from a point A on the ground is $60{}^\circ $ and the angle of depression of the point A from the top of the tower is $45{}^\circ $.
We have to find the height of the tower.
First, we draw a diagram assuming a point of observation A at the ground.

We have given that height of the pole is $5\text{ m}$. i.e. $BC=5m$
Let us assume the height of the tower is $x$, i.e. $CD=x$.
Also, we have given angle of elevation $\angle BAC=60{}^\circ $ and angle of depression $\angle ACO=45{}^\circ $ .
First, let us consider right-angled triangle $\Delta ADB$,
We know that $\tan \theta =\dfrac{\text{Perpendicular}}{\text{Base}}$
We have $\theta =60{}^\circ $ as given in the question, angle of elevation.
When we substitute the values, we get
$\begin{align}
  & \tan 60{}^\circ =\dfrac{BD}{AD} \\
 & \tan 60{}^\circ =\dfrac{x+5}{AD} \\
\end{align}$
We know that $\tan 60{}^\circ =\sqrt{3}$, so substitute the value we get
$\begin{align}
  & \sqrt{3}=\dfrac{x+5}{AD} \\
 & \sqrt{3}AD=x+5 \\
 & AD=\dfrac{x+5}{\sqrt{3}}................(i) \\
\end{align}$
Now, consider right –angled triangle $\Delta ADC$,
We know that $\tan \theta =\dfrac{\text{Perpendicular}}{\text{Base}}$
Now, from the diagram we have $\angle OCD=90{}^\circ $
Also,
$\begin{align}
  & \angle OCD=\angle ACD+\angle ACO \\
 & 90{}^\circ =\angle ACD+45{}^\circ \\
 & \angle ACD=45{}^\circ \\
\end{align}$
So, we have $\theta =45{}^\circ $
When we substitute the values, we get
$\begin{align}
  & \tan 45{}^\circ =\dfrac{AD}{CD} \\
 & \tan 45{}^\circ =\dfrac{AD}{x} \\
\end{align}$
We know that $\tan 45{}^\circ =1$
$\begin{align}
  & 1=\dfrac{AD}{x} \\
 & AD=x.......(ii) \\
\end{align}$
When we put the value of $AD$ from equation (i), we get
$\begin{align}
  & \dfrac{x+5}{\sqrt{3}}=x \\
 & x+5=\sqrt{3}x \\
\end{align}$
We know that $\left( \sqrt{3}=1.732 \right)$,
$\begin{align}
  & x+5=1.732x \\
 & 5=1.732x-x \\
 & 5=0.732x \\
 & x=\dfrac{5}{0.732} \\
 & x=6.83m \\
\end{align}$
Height of the tower is $6.83m$.

Note: The key concept to solve this type of questions is the use of trigonometric angle properties. Also, in this type of questions first draw a diagram using the information given in the question. Always assume the point of observation on the ground. These points help to solve the question easily and we will get correct answer.