Aptitude Topics
Angles of Depression
The angle of depression is the angle between the horizontal line of sight and the object when looking down at it. By the alternate interior angle theorem, this is equal to the angle of elevation from the object back to the observer.
Example Breakdown: Ship and Lighthouse
Problem QueryFrom the top of a 50m lighthouse, the angle of depression to a ship is 15°. How far is the ship from the base?
Step-By-Step Solution Path
Use the property: Angle of elevation from ship = Angle of depression from lighthouse = 15°.
$\tan(15^{\circ}) = \frac{50}{\text{Distance}}$.
Distance = $50 / \tan(15^{\circ}) = 50 / 0.268 = 186.57 \text{m}$.
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