Helicopter Problem?

2 observers simultaneously measure the angle of elevation of a helicopter. 1 angle is 25deg and the other is 35deg. If the observers are 100ft apart & the copter flies over the horizontal line joining them, how high above the line is the copter? to nearest foot, then add 5 ft to find the altitude of the copter

Comments

  • Hi,

    If h is the initial height of the helicopter, and x is the distance from the helicopter to the 25° angle, then 100 - x is the distance to the 35° angle.

    .h

    --- = tan 25°

    .x

    h = x tan 25°

    ......h

    ----------- = tan 35°

    100 - x

    h = tan 35°(100 - x)

    Since these both equal h, then:

    x tan 25° = tan 35°(100 - x)

    .4663x = .7002(100 - x)

    .4663x = 70.02 - .7002x

    1.1665x = 70.02

    x = 60.0257

    Since h = x tan 25° and x = 60.0257, then:

    h = 60.0257 tan 25°

    h = 27.99

    To the nearest foot, the height came out to be 28 feet. With 5 feet added to the altitude, the helicopter was at a height of 33 feet. <==ANSWER

    I hope that helps!! :-)

  • The height of the helicopter from the line is 27.99 ft. The triangle described by the problem is 35, 25, 120 degree triangle. Used law of sines and then right triangle trig to find the altitude

  • You could go to Iraq or to another place under war and ask the soldiers.. only that that would work with War Helicopters

  • just basic trig to lazy to grab my calc tho

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