Question

In kilometers, the approximate distance to the earth's horizon from a point h meters above the surface can be determined by evaluating the expression 12h−−−√. About how far is the apparent horizon to a person looking out to sea from the top of a cliff 350 meters above sea level?

Answer 1

In kilometers, the approximate distance to the earth's horizon from a point h meters above the surface can be determined by evaluating the expression 

$d= \sqrt{12h}$

We are given the height h of a person from surface of sea level to be 350 m and we are to find the the distance to horizon d. Using the value in above expression we get:

$d= \sqrt{12*350}=64.81$

Therefore, the approximate distance to the horizon for the person will be 64.81 km