Question

I need help with the following problem. Any genius got any ideas?

An observer notices that an aeroplane flies directly overhead. Two minutes later the aeroplane is at an angle of elevation of 27*. Assuming the aeroplane is travelling with constant speed, what will be its angle of elevation after another two minutes?

Answer 1

let the required angle be x
assuming height to be h
then horizontal distance of the point directly over head from the aeroplane after first two minutes is gien by h cot27
hence after the next two minutes the plane covers another h cot27
cot x = (h cot27 + h cot27)/h
or x =cot^-1(2cot27)

Answer 2

"first two minutes is gien by h cot27" What do you mean by this? Also, what is "cot?"

Answer 3

cot stands for cotangent
it will be better if u vcan draw a diagram

Answer 4

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20111107162020AAX35K0