Question

Upon descent, an airplane is 20,000 feet above the ground. The air traffic control tower is 200 feet tall. It is determined that the angle of elevation from the top of the tower to the plane is 15°. To the nearest mile, find the ground distance from the airplane to the tower.​

Answer 1

Answer:

Base length of plane from control tower = 73,880 feet (Approx.)

Step-by-step explanation:

Given:

Height of plane from ground = 20,000 feet

Height of control tower = 200 feet

Angle of elevation from control tower = 15°

Find:

Base length of plane from control tower

Computation:

Height of plane from control tower = 20,000 - 200

Height of plane from control tower = 19,800 feet

Tan θ = Perpendicular / Base

Tan15 = 19,800 / Base length of plane from control tower

0.268 = 19,800 / Base length of plane from control tower

Base length of plane from control tower = 73,880 feet (Approx.)