The distance of the ship from the lighthouse can be determined using
trigonometric ratios.
- The ship's horizontal distance from the lighthouse is approximately <u>1,303.03 feet</u>.
Reasons:
The given parameters are;
The height of the beacon-light above the ground = 114 feet
The angle of elevation to the beacon measured by the boat crew = 5°
Required:
The horizontal distance of the ship from the lighthouse
Solution:
The beacon-light that is seen by the boat crew, the height of the beacon light, and the horizontal distance of the ship from the lighthouse form a right triangle.
Therefore, we have;
Which gives;
Therefore;
The ship's horizontal distance from the lighthouse = <u>1,303.03 feet</u>.
Learn more about angle of elevation here: