An observer in a lighthouse 350 feet above sea level observes two ships directly to the west. The angles of depression to the ships are 5º and 8.2º. How far apart are the ships (to the nearest foot)?

Question

amistre64 · Answer

350 tall; 5degree and 8.2 degree.... gonna have ta draw me a picture first...hold up..

anonymous · Answer

ok

amistre64 · Answer

total distance out to  the farthest boat is 50.43 feet....maybe :)

and a total of 30.62 feet to the nearest boat...

they should be 19.81 feet (or so) apart if I did it right :)

I used the law of sines...

amistre64 · Answer

let me double check that with another method..

anonymous · Answer

ok

amistre64 · Answer

50.43 from ship to shore;

30.62 ship to shore....so yeah, im pretty sure I did it right :)

anonymous · Answer

:) okay thank you