Isaac is looking through binoculars on a whale watching trip when he notices a sea otter in the distance. If he is 20 feet above sea level in the boat, and the angle of depression is 30 degrees, how far away from the boat is the otter (to the nearest foot)?

Question

anonymous · Answer

do you know the angle of depression?

anonymous · Answer

the height   y=20  , the x= distance
angle theta = angle of depression

anonymous · Answer

Hello?

anonymous · Answer

um 30 degrees is angle of depression

anonymous · Answer

$$\tan30 = \frac{ 20 }{ x }$$
$$x = \frac{ 20 }{ \tan30 }$$
$$x = 34.6$$, so 35 ft.

anonymous · Answer

Hey thanks