Assignments in athematics lass X ( erm )

9. some pp ic tions of trigonometry

mport nt erms, Definitions n esu ts

• Line of sight : When an observer looks from a Or the angle of depression of an object viewed, is the
point O at an object P, then the line OP is called angle formed by the line of sight with the horizontal
the line of sight. when it is below the horizontal level. i.e., the case
when we lower our head to look at the object.
• Angle of elevation : The angle which the line of
sight makes with the horizontal line through O is
called the angle of elevation of P, as seen from O;
i.e., ∠XOP.
Or the angle of elevation of an object viewed, is the
angle formed by the line of sight with the horizontal
when it is above the horizontal level. i.e. the case
when we raise our head to look the object.

• Altitude of the un : The altitude of the sun is

simply the angle of elevation of the sun.

• Angle of depression : The angle which the line

of sight makes with the horizontal line through
O is called the angle of depression of P, as seen
from O.

Summ iv A m

u tip e choice Questions [1 ark]

A. mportant Questions
1. The angles of elevation of the top of a tower from h (1 + tan θ )
two points distant a and b from the base and in (c) (d) none of these
the same straight line with it, are complementary, tan θ
then the height of the tower is : 4. The height of a tower is 50 m. When the sun’s
altitude changes from 30° to 45°, the shadow of
a a the tower becomes x metres less. The value of x
(a) ab (b) ab (c) (d)
b b is :
2. The ratio of the length of a rod and its shadow is (a) 50 m (b) 50 3 m
1 : 3 . The altitude of the sun is :
(a) 30° (b) 45° (c) 60° (d) 90° (c) 50 ( 3 - 1) m (d)
3
m
50

3. The angle of elevation of a cloud from a point h 5. If the angle of elevation of a building from a
metres above a lake is q. The angle of depression distance of 100 m from its foot is 60°, then the
of its reflection in the lake is 45°. The height of height of the building is :
the cloud is :
100
h (1 + tan θ ) h (1 − tan θ ) (a) 100 3 m (b)
3
m
(a) (b)
(1 − tan θ) (1 + tan θ) 200
(c) 50 3 m (d) m
3
1
6. From the top of a cliff 50 m high the angle of 10. The length of the shadow of a tower standing on
elevation of a tower is found to be equal to the angle level plane is found to be 2x metres longer when
of depression of the foot of the tower. The height of the sun’s altitude is 30° than when it was 45°. The
the tower is : height of the tower is :
(a) 50 m (b) 100 m (c) 125 m (d) 150 m (a) x ( 3 - 1) m (b) x ( 3 + 1) m
7. The altitude of the sun is 60°. The height of a
tower which casts a shadow of length 30 m is : x 3 -1
(c) m (d) m
(a) 30 3 m (.b) 15 m 3 -1 x
30 11. As observed from the top of a 75 m high light-house
(c) m (d) 15 2 m from the sea-level, the angles of depression of two
3 ships are 30° and 45°. One ship is exactly behind
8. A pole subtends an angle of 30° at a point on the the other on the same side of the light-house. The
same level as its foot. At a second point h metres distance between the two ships is :
above the first, the depression of the foot of the
pole is 60°. The height of the pole is : (a) 75 m (b) 75 ( 3 + 1) m
(a)
h
m (b) 3 m (c)
h
m (d)
h
m
(c) 75 ( 3) m (d) 75 ( 3 - 1) m
2 3 3
9. The angle of elevation of the top of a tower from a 12. Two persons are a metres apart and the height of
point P on the ground is a. After walking a distance one is double that of the other. If from the middle
d towards the foot of the tower, angle of elevation point of the line joining their feet, an observer
is found to be b. The height of the tower is : finds the angular elevation of their tops to be
complementary, then the height of the short person
d d is :
(a) (b)
cot α + cot β cot α − cot β a a a
(a) (b) (c) a 2 (d)
d d 4 2 2 2
(c) (d)
tan α + tan β tan β − tan α

B. Questions From CBSE Examination Papers

1. If the altitude of the sun is 60°, the height of the from foot of the tower in a horizontal plane is :
tower which casts a shadow of length 30 m is : [2011 ( - )]
[2011 ( - )] (a) 30° (b) 60° (c) 90° (d) 45°
30
(a) 30 3 m (b) 3m 6. A pole 10 m high casts a shadow 10 m long on
3
the ground, then the sun’s elevation is :
(c) 15 3 m (d) 15 m
[2011 ( - )]
2. The tops of two poles of heights 20 m and 14 (a) 60° (b) 45° (c) 30° (d) 90°
m are connected by a wire. If the wire makes an
angle of 30° with the horizontal, then the length 7. The angle of deperssion from the top of a tower
of the wire is : [2011 ( - )] 12 m high, at a point on the ground is 30°. The
distance of the point from the top of the tower
(a) 34 m (b) 12 m (c) 6 m (d) 17 m is : [2011 ( - )]
3. The length of the string of a kite flying at 100 m (a) 12 m (b) 6 m (c) 12 3 m (d) 24 m
above the ground with the elevation of 60° is :
[2011 ( - )] 8. A tree casts a shadow 4 m long on the ground,
when the angle of elevation of the sun is 45°. The
(a) 100 m (b) 100 2 m height of the tree (in metres) is : [2011 ( - )]
200
(c) (d) 200 m (a) 3 (b) 4 (c) 4.5 (d) 5.2
3
9. If sun’s elevation is 60°, then a pole of height
4. A ladder of 10 m length touches a wall at height
6 m will cast a shadow of length : [2011 ( - )]
of 5 m. The angle q made by it with the horizontal
is : [2011 ( - )] (a) 6 3 m (b) 3m
(a) 90° (b) 60° (c) 45° (d) 30° (c) 2 3 m (d) 3 2 m
5. The measure of angle of elevation of top of a tower
75 3 m high from a point at a distance of 75 m
2
10. The angle of elevation of the top of a building
50 m high, from a point on the ground is 45°. The
distance of the point from the foot of the building
is : [2011 ( - )]
(a) 100 m (b) 50 m (c) 45 m (d) 60 m
11. A tree 6 m tall casts a 4 m long shadow. At the
same time a pole casts a shadow 10 m long. The 17. If the angle of depression of an object from a
height of the pole is : [2011 ( - )] 75 m high tower is 30°, then the distance of the
(a) 40 m (b) 20 m (c) 15 m (d) 10 m object from the base of tower is : [2011 ( - )]
12. If the angle of elevation of top of a tower from a (a) 25 3 m (b) 50 3 m
point at a distance of 100 m from its foot is 60°, (c) 75 3 m (d) 150 m
then the height of the tower is : [2011 ( - )]
200 18. The figure, shows the observation of point C from
(a) 50 3 m (b) m
3 point A. The angle of depression from A is :
100 [2011 ( - )]
(c) m (d) 100 3 m
3 (a) 60° (b) 30° (c) 45° (d) 75°
13. The angle formed by the line of sight with the
horizontal, when the point being viewed is above
the horizontal level is called : [2011 ( - )]
(a) vertical angle (b) angle of depression
(c) angle of elevation (d) obtuse angle
14. If the ratio of height of a tower and the length of
its shadow on the ground is 3 : 1, then the angle
of elevation of the sun is : [2011 ( - )] 19. Form the figure, the angle of depression of point
(a) 60° (b) 45° (c) 30° (d) 90° C from the point P is : [2011 ( - )]
15. If the height and length of the shadow of a man (a) 90° (b) 60° (c) 30° (d) 45°
are the same, then the angle of elevation of the
sun is : [2011 ( - )]
(a) 30° (b) 60° (c) 45° (d) 15°
16. If AB = 4 m and AC = 8 m, then angle of
observation of A as observed from C is :
[2011 ( - )]
(a) 60° (b) 30°
(c) 45° (d) cannot be determined

hort nswer type Questions [2 arks]

B. Questions From CBSE Examination Papers

1. A tower stands vertically on the ground. From a wall. If the ladder makes an angle of 60° with the
point on the ground which is 60 m away from foot wall, find the height of the wall. [2011 ( - ]
of the tower, the angle of elevation of the top of 3. A tower stands vertically on the ground. From a
the tower is found to be 60°. Find the height of point on the ground which is 15 m away from the
the tower. [2011 ( - )] foot of the tower, the angle of elevation of the top
2. A ladder 15 m long just reaches the top of a vertical of the tower is found to be 60°. Find the height
of the tower. [2011 ( - )]

3
hort nswer type Questions [3 arks]
B. Questions From CBSE Examination Papers

1. A tree breaks due to storm and the broken part 8. A tower is 60 m high. From the top of it the
bends so that the top of the tree touches the ground angles of depression of the top and the bottom of
making an angle 30° with it. The distance between a tree are found to be 30° and 60° respectively.
the foot of the tree to the point where the top Find the height of the tree and its distance from
touches the ground is 8 m. Find the height of the the tower. [2011 ( - )]
tree. [2011 ( - )] 9. A man standing on the top of a multi-storey
2. A kite is flying at a height of 90 m above the building, which is 30 m high, observes the angle
ground. The string attached to the kite is temporarily of elevation of the top of a tower as 60° and
tied to a point on the ground. The inclination of the angle of depression of the base of the tower
the string with the ground is 60°. Find the length as 30°. Find the horizontal distance between the
of the string assuming that there is no slack in the building and the tower. Also, find the height of
string. [Take 3 = 1.732] [2011 ( - )] the tower. [2011 ( - )]
3. A player sitting on the top of a tower of height 10. An aeroplane, when 3000 m high, passes vertically
20 m observes the angle of depression of a ball above another plane at an instant when the angles of
lying on the ground as 60°. Find the distance elevation of the two aeroplanes from the same point
between the foot of the tower and the ball. on the ground are 60° and 45° respectively. Find
[2011 ( - )] the vertical distance between the two aeroplanes.
4. The shadow of a tower is 30 m long, when the [2011 ( - )]
sun’s elevation is 30°. What is the length of the 11. A circus artist is climbing a rope 12 m long which
shadow, when sun’s elevation is 60° ? is tightly stretched and tied from the top of a
[2011 ( - )] vertical pole to the ground. find the height of the
5. From a point P on the ground, the angle of elevation pole if the angle made by the rope with the ground
of the top of a 10 m tall building is 30°. A flag is is 30°. [2011 ( - )]
hosted at the top of the building and the angle of 12. The length of the shadow of a tower standing
elevation of the top of the flagstaff from P is 45°. Find on level ground is found to be 2x metres longer
the length of the flagstaff. (Take 3 = 1.732) when the sun’s altitude is 30° than when it was
[2011 ( - )] 45°. Prove that the height of tower is (
3 +1 x )
6. A person standing on the bank of the river observes metres. [2011 ( - )]
that the angle subtended by a tree on the opposite 13. From the top of a 10 m tall tower the angle of
bank is 60°, when he retreats 20 m from the bank, depression of a point on a ground was found to
he finds the angle to be 30°, find the height of the be 60°. How far is the point from the base of the
tree. [2011 ( - )] tower? [2011 ( - )]
7. The angle of elevation of the top of a tower from 14. An observer 1.5 m tall is 28.5 m away from a
two points distant a and b from the base and in tower. The angle of elevation of the top of the
the same straight line with it are complementary. tower from his eyes is 45°. What is the height of
Prove that the height of tower is ab. the tower ? [2011 ( - )]
[2011 ( - )]

Long Answer ype Questions [4 arks]

A. mportant Questions
1. Two poles of equal heights are standing opposite part bends so that the top of the tree touches
to each other on either side of a road, which is ground making an angle of 30° with the ground.
100 metres wide. From a point between them on The distance from the foot of the tree to the point
the road, the angles of elevation of their tops are where the top touches the ground, is 10 metres.
30° and 60°. Find the position of the point and Find the height of the tree.
also, the heights of the poles.
3. A boy is standing on the ground and flying a
2. A tree breaks due to the storm and the broken kite with 100 m of string at an elevation of 30°.
Another boy is standing on the roof of a 20 m
4
 high building and is flying his kite at an elevation kilometres the distance up-hill from the other city
of 45°. Both the boys are on the opposite sides of centre.
both the kites. Find the length of the string that
the second boy must have so that the two kites 12. An aeroplane when 3000 m high passes vertically
meet. above another aeroplane at an instance when their
angles of elevation at the same observation point
4. At the foot of a mountain the elevation of its are 60° and 45° respectively. How many metres
summit is 45°. After ascending 1000 m towards higher is the one than the other ?
the mountain up a slope of 30° inclination, the 13. The distance between two vertical poles is
elevation is found to be 60°. Find the height of 60 m. The height of one of the poles is double
the mountain. the height of the other. The angles of elevation of
5. The angle of elevation of the top Q of a vertical the tops of the poles from the middle point of the
tower PQ from a point X on the ground is 60°. line segment joining their feet are complementary
At a point Y, 40 m vertically above X, the angle to each other. Find the heights of the poles.
of elevation is 45°. Find the height of the tower 14. The angles of elevation of a cloud from a point
PQ and the distance XQ. h metres above a lake is 30° and the angle of
depression of its reflection in the lake is 45°. If
6. A round balloon of radius r subtends an angle
α at the eye of the observer while the angle of the height of the cloud be 200 m, find h.
elevation of its centre is β. Prove that the height 15. A bird is perched on the top of a tree 20 m high and
of the centre of the balloon is r sin β cosec α/2. its angle of elevation from a point on the ground
45°. The bird flies off horizontally straight away
7. The angle of elevation of a cliff from a fixed from the observer and in one second the angle
point is θ. After going up a distance of k metres of elevation of the bird reduces to 30°. Find the
towards the top of the cliff at an angle of φ, it is
speed of the bird.
found that the angle of elevation is α. Show that
the height of the cliff is 16. From the top of a tower, the angles of depression
of two objects on the same side of the tower are
k(cos φ − sin φ cot α ) found to be a and b (a > b). If the disance between
metres.
cot θ − cot α the objects is a metres, show that the height of
8. If the angle of elevation of a cloud from a point a tan α tan β
h metres above a lake is α and the angle of the tower is .
tan α − tan β
depression of its reflection in the lake from the same
point is β, prove that the height of the cloud 17. A vertical tower stands on a horizontal plane and
is surmounted by a vertical flagstaff of height h.
is h(tan β + tan α ) . At a point on the plane, the angles of elevation of
(tan β − tan α )
the bottom and the top of the flagstaff are a and
9. A man on a cliff observes a boat at an angle of
b respectively. Prove that the height of the tower
depression of 30° which is approaching the shore
to the point immediately beneath the observer with h tan α
is .
a uniform speed. Six minutes later, the angle of tan β − tan α
depression of the boat is found to be 60°. Find 18. A tree standing on a horizontal plane is leaning
the time taken by the boat to reach the shore. towards east. At two points situated at distance a
10. A ladder rests against a wall at an angle α to the and b exactly due west of it, the angles of elevation
horizontal. Its foot is pulled away from the wall of the top are a and b respectively. Prove that the
through a distance a, so that it slides a distance height of the top of the tree from the ground is
b down the wall making an angle β with the (b − a ) tan α tan β .
a cos α − cos β tan α − tan β
horizontal. Show that = .
b sin β − sin α 19. At a point on a level plane, a tower subtends an
11. The angles of elevation of the top of a hill at the angle a and a man a metres tall standing on its
city centres of two towns on either side of the hill top subtends an angle b. Prove that the height of
are observed to be 30° and 60°. If the distance a sin α cos ( α + β )
up-hill from the first city centre is 9 km, find in the tower is .
sin β

5
 B. Questions From CBSE Examination Papers
1. An aeroplane flying horizontally 1 km above the to 60°. Assuming that the ship is sailing at uniform
ground is observed at an elevation of 60°. After speed, find how much time it will take to reach
a flight of 10 seconds, its angle of elevation is the light house. [2011 ( - )]
observed to be 30° from the same point on the 10. From a point on the ground the angle of elevation
ground. Find the speed of the aeroplane in km/ of the bottom and the top of a flagstaff situated
hour. [2011 ( - )] on the top of a 120 m tall house, was found to be
2. The angle of elevation of the top of a tower from 30° and 45° respectively. Find the height of the
two points P and Q at distance of 4 m and 9 m flagstaff. [2011 ( - )]
respectively from the base of the tower and in the 11. A vertical tower is surmounted by a flag staff of
same straight line with it are 60° and 30°. Prove height 5 metres. At a point on the ground, the
that the height of the tower is 6 m. [2011 ( - )] angles of elevation of bottom and top of flag staff
3. A person standing on the bank of a river observes are 45° and 60° respectively. Find the height of
that the angle of elevation of the top of the tree the tower. [2011 ( - )]
standing on the opposite bank is 60°. When he 12. A man on the top of a vertical tower observes a car
moves 30 m away from the bank, he finds the moving towards the tower. If it takes 12 minutes
angle of elevation to be 30°. Find the height of for the angle of depression to change from 30°
the tree and the width of the river. [2011 ( - )] to 45°, how soon after this the car will reach the
4. The angle of elevation of a cloud from a point tower ? [2011 ( - )]
60 m above the lake is 30° and the angle of
depression of its reflection in the lake is 60°. Find
the height of the cloud above the lake.
[2011 ( - )]
5. A straight highways leads to the foot of tower. A
man standing at the top of tower observes a car at
an angle of depression 30° which is approaching
the foot of the tower with a uniform speed. Six
second later, the angle of depression of the car is 13. An aeroplane at an altitude of 200 m observes the
found to be 60°. Find the time taken by the car angles of depression of two opposite points on
to reach the foot of the tower from this point. two banks of the river to be 45° and 60°. Find,
[2011 ( - )]
6. As observed from the top of a light house, 100 m
(
in metres, the width of the river. Use 3 = 1.732 )
[2011 ( - )]
high above sea-level, the angle of depression of a
ship sailing directly towerds it, changes from 30° 14. From a window, 60 m high above the ground, of
to 60°. Detremine the distance travelled by the ship a house in a street, the angles of elevation and
(
during the period of observation 3 = 1.732 ) depression of the top and foot of another house
on the opposite side of the street are 60° and 45°
[2011 ( - )]
respectively. Show that the height of the opposite
7. A man standing on the deck of the ship which is house is 60 (1 + 3 ) metres. [2011 ( - )]
10 m above the sea level, observes the angle of
15. Two pillars of equal heights are on either side of a
elevation of the top of the cloud as 30° and angle
road, which is 100 m wide. The angles of elevation
of depression of its reflection in the sea was found
of the top of the pillars are 60° and 30° at a point
to be 60°. Find the height of the cloud and also
on the road between the pillars. Find the position
the distance of the cloud from the ship.
of the point between the pillars on the road and
[2011 ( - )] the height of the pillars. [2011 ( - )]
8. A vertical tower stands on a horizontal plane and 16. From the top of a building 60 m high the angles
is surmounted by a vertical flagstaff of height ‘h’. of depression of the top and the bottom of a tower
At a point on the plane, the angles of elevation of are observed to be 30° and 60° respectively. Find
the bottom and the top of the flagstaff are 45° and the height of the tower. [2011 ( - )]
60° respectively. Find the height of the tower.
17. Find the height of a mountain if the elevation
[2011 ( - )]
of its top at an unknown distance from the base
9. From the top of a light house the angle of depression is 60° and at a distance 10 km further off from
of a ship sailing towards it was found to be 30°. the mountain, along the same line, the angle of
After 10 seconds the angle of depression changes elevation is 30°. [2011 ( - )]

6
18. From an aeroplane vertically above a straight the height of the light-house. [2002, 2006]
horizontal road, the angles of depression of two 27. If the angle of elevation of a cloud from a point
consecutive kilometre stones on opposite sides h metres above a lake is a and the angle of
of the areoplane are observed to be 60° and 30°. depression of its reflection in the lake is b, prove
Show that height (in metres) of aeroplane above that the distance of the cloud from the point of
3 2h sec α
the road is km [2011 ( - )]
4 observation is tan β − tan α . [2004]
19. From the top and foot of a tower 40 m high, the
angle of elevation of the top of a light house are 28. A man standing on the deck of a ship, which is
found to be 30° and 60° respectively. Find the height 10 m above water level, observes the angle of
of the light house. Also, find the distance of the top
elevation of the top of a hill as 60° and angle of
of the light house from the foot of the tower.
depression of the base of the hill as 30°. Find the
[2011 ( - )] distance of the hill from the ship and height of the
20. The angle of elevation of the top of a building hill. [2004, 2005, 2006]
from the foot of a tower is 30° and the angle of
29. A bird is sitting on the top of a tree, which is
elevation of the top of the tower from the foot of
the building is 60°. If the tower is 50 m high, find 80 m high. The angle of elevation of the bird,
the height of the building. [2011 ( - )] from a point on the ground is 45°. The bird flies
away from the point of observation horizontally
21. The angles of depression of the top and the bottom
and remains at a constant height. After 2 seconds,
of an 8 m tall building from the top of a multi-
storied building are 30° and 45° respectively. Find the angle of elevation of the bird from the point of
the height of the multistoried building. observation becomes 30°. Find the speed of flying
of the bird. [2004]
[2011 ( - )]
30. On a horizontal plane there is a vertical tower with
22. From a point on the ground, the angles of elevation
of the bottom and top of a transmission tower fixed a flag pole on the top of the tower. At a point 9
at the top of 20 m high building are 45° and 60° metres away from the foot of the tower the angle
respectively. Find the height of the transmission of elevation of the top and bottom of the flag pole
tower. [2011 ( - )] are 60° and 30° respectively. Find the height of
23. An aircraft is flying at a constant height with a the tower and flag pole mounted on it. [2005]
speed of 360 km/hour. From a point on the ground, 31. The angle of elevation of the top of a tower as
the angle of elevation at an instant was observed observed from a point on the ground is ‘a’ and
to be 45°. After 20 seconds, the angle of elevation on moving ‘a’ metres towards the tower, the angle
was observed to be 30°. Determine the height at of elevation is ‘b’. Prove that the height of the
(
which the aircraft is flying. Use 3 = 1.732 ) a tan α tan β
[2011 ( - )] tower is . [2006]
tan β − tan α
24. A boy 2 m tall is standing at some distance from
a 20 m tall building. The angle of elevation from 32. A boy standing on a horizontal plane finds a
his eyes of the top of the building increases from bird flying at a distnce of 100 m from him at an
30° to 60° as he walks towards the building. Find elevation of 30°. A girl standing on the roof of 20
the distance he walked towards the building. metre high building, finds the angle of elevation
of the same bird to be 45°. Both the boy and the
[2011 ( - )] girl are on opposite sides of the bird. Find the
25. Two men on either side of a cliff, 60 m high, distance of bird from the girl. [2007]
observe the angles of elevation of the top of the
33. A statue 1.46 m tall stand on the top of a pedestal.
cliff to be 45° and 60° respectively. Find the
From a point on the ground, the angle of elevation
distance between two men. [2011 ( - )]
of the top of the statue is 60° and from the same
26. The angle of elevation q of the top of a light-house, point, the angle of elevation of the top of the pedestal
as seen by a person on the ground, is such that is 45°. Find the height of the pedestal. [2008]
5 34. A straight highway leads to the foot of the tower.
tan θ = . When the person moves a distance
12 A man standing at the top of the tower observes
of 240 m towards the light-house, the angle of a car at angle of depression of 30°, which is
3 approaching the foot of the tower with a uniform
elevation becomes such that tan φ = . Find speed, 6 seconds later the angle of depression of
4
the car is found to be 60°. Find the time taken by
7
 the car to reach the foot of the tower from this 60°. After some time the angle of elevation reduces
point. [2008, 2009] to 30°. Find the distance travelled by the balloon
during the interval. [2009]
35. From a point 100 m above a lake, the angle of
elevation of a stationary helicopter is 30° and the 38. The angle of elevation of the top of a building
angle of depression of reflection of the helicopter in from the foot of a tower is 30° and the angle of
the lake is 60°. Find the height of the helicopter. elevation of the top of the tower from the foot
[2008 ] of the building is 60°. If the tower is 50 m high.
Find the height of the building. [2009]
36. The angles of depression of the top and bottom
of a 8 m tall building from the top of a multi- 39. A tower stand vertically on a bank of a canal
storeyed building are 30° and 45° respectively. from a point on the other bank directly opposite
Find the height of the multistoreyed building and the tower, the angle of elevation of the top of the
the distance between the two buildings. [2009] tower is 60°, from another point 20 m away from
this point on the line joining this point to the foot
37. A 1.2 m tall girl spots a balloon moving with the of the tower, the angle of elevation of the top of
wind in a horizontal line at a height of 88.2 m the tower is 30°. Find the height of the tower and
from the ground. The angle of elevation of the the width of the canal. [2009]
balloon from the eyes of the girl at that instant is

F m iv A m
forward or backward to make sure that the top of
Activity-1
the building is clearly visible.
bjective : To make a height estimator and use it to Also, keep the side BA of the height estimator hori-
measure the approximate height of a tall zontal, or the thread should always pass through
object. edge CB.
aterials equired : 45°-45°-90° set square, 30°-60°-
90° set square, small pipe or drinking straw, sellotape, a
weight (a metal washer is ideal), thread.

rocedure :
ase . sing a 45°-45°-90° set square
1. Take a 45°-45°-90° set square and fix a viewing tube
(drinking straw) along the longest side (hypotenuse)
using sellotape. Fix one end of a piece of thread at C and
suspend a weight at the other end of the thread so that
the thread passes through CB as shown in figure 1. Figure 2

ase . sing a 30°-60°-90° set square

1. Take a 30°-60°-90° set square and repeat steps 1
and 2 of case I.

2. Suppose we want to estimate the height of a tall

building. Take the height estimator and look Figure 3
through the straw at the top of the building. Move
8
bservations : figure 5.
1. In figure 2, let the horizontal distance between Here there are two situations.
your foot and the foot of the building be a m, your
height up to the eye level be b m and the height of
the building above the eye level be c m.
2. Figure 2 can be represented as shown in the figure
4.
c
So, tan 45° = ⇒c=a
a
So, height of the building = c + b = a + b.

Figure 5

(a) hen the 30° end of the estimator is kept near

eye.
c a
In this case, tan 30° = ⇒ c=
a 3
a
So, height of the building = c + b = +b
3
(b) hen the 60° end of the estimator is kept near
Figure 4 eye.
3. Since, we can measure a and b easily, so the c
In this case, tan 60° = ⇒c= a 3
approximate height of the building can be a
calculated. So, height of the building = c + b = a 3 + b
4. In figure 3(b), let the horizontal distance be- 6. Since we can measure a and b easily, so the
tween your foot and the foot of the building be approximate height of the building can be
a m, your height up to the eye level be b m and calculated.
the height of the building above the eye level
onclusion : We can estimate the approximate height
be c m.
of a tall object using a height estimator and then applying
5. Figure 3(b) can be represented as shown in the trigonometric ratios.

9
Class X Chapter 9 – Some Applications of Trigonometry Maths

Exercise 9.1
Question 1:
A circus artist is climbing a 20 m long rope, which is tightly stretched and tied from
the top of a vertical pole to the ground. Find the height of the pole, if the angle made
by the rope with the ground level is 30 °.

Answer:
It can be observed from the figure that AB is the pole.
In ∆ABC,

Therefore, the height of the pole is 10 m.

Question 2:
A tree breaks due to storm and the broken part bends so that the top of the tree
touches the ground making an angle 30 ° with it. The distance between the foot of
the tree to the point where the top touches the ground is 8 m. Find the height of the
tree.
Answer:

Page 1 of 20
Class X Chapter 9 – Some Applications of Trigonometry Maths

Let AC was the original tree. Due to storm, it was broken into two parts. The broken

part is making 30° with the ground.

In ,

Height of tree = + BC

Page 2 of 20
Class X Chapter 9 – Some Applications of Trigonometry Maths

Hence, the height of the tree is

Question 3:
A contractor plans to install two slides for the children to play in a park. For the
children below the age of 5 years, she prefers to have a slide whose top is at a
height of 1.5 m, and is inclined at an angle of 30 ° to the ground, where as for the
elder children she wants to have a steep side at a height of 3 m, and inclined at an
angle of 60 ° to the ground. What should be the length of the slide in each case?
Answer:
It can be observed that AC and PR are the slides for younger and elder children
respectively.

In ∆ABC,

Page 3 of 20
Class X Chapter 9 – Some Applications of Trigonometry Maths

In ∆PQR,

Therefore, the lengths of these slides are 3 m and

Question 4:
The angle of elevation of the top of a tower from a point on the ground, which is 30
m away from the foot of the tower is 30°. Find the height of the tower.
Answer:

Let AB be the tower and the angle of elevation from point C (on ground) is
30°.
In ∆ABC,

Page 4 of 20
Class X Chapter 9 – Some Applications of Trigonometry Maths

Therefore, the height of the tower is .

Question 5:
A kite is flying at a height of 60 m above the ground. The string attached to the kite
is temporarily tied to a point on the ground. The inclination of the string with the
ground is 60°. Find the length of the string, assuming that there is no slack in the
string.
Answer:

Let K be the kite and the string is tied to point P on the ground.
In ∆KLP,

Hence, the length of the string is .

Page 5 of 20
Class X Chapter 9 – Some Applications of Trigonometry Maths

Question 6:
A 1.5 m tall boy is standing at some distance from a 30 m tall building. The angle of
elevation from his eyes to the top of the building increases from 30° to 60° as he
walks towards the building. Find the distance he walked towards the building.
Answer:

Let the boy was standing at point S initially. He walked towards the building and
reached at point T.
It can be observed that
PR = PQ − RQ

= (30 − 1.5) m = 28.5 m =

In ∆PAR,

In ∆PRB,

Page 6 of 20
Class X Chapter 9 – Some Applications of Trigonometry Maths

ST = AB

Hence, he walked towards the building.

Question 7:
From a point on the ground, the angles of elevation of the bottom and the top of a
transmission tower fixed at the top of a 20 m high building are 45° and 60°
respectively. Find the height of the tower.
Answer:

Let BC be the building, AB be the transmission tower, and D be the point on the
ground from where the elevation angles are to be measured.
In ∆BCD,

Page 7 of 20
Class X Chapter 9 – Some Applications of Trigonometry Maths

In ∆ACD,

Therefore, the height of the transmission tower is m.

Question 8:
A statue, 1.6 m tall, stands on a top of pedestal, from a point on the ground, the
angle of elevation of the top of statue is 60° and from the same point the angle of
elevation of the top of the pedestal is 45 °. Find the height of the pedestal.
Answer:

Let AB be the statue, BC be the pedestal, and D be the point on the ground from
where the elevation angles are to be measured.

Page 8 of 20
Class X Chapter 9 – Some Applications of Trigonometry Maths

In ∆BCD,

In ∆ACD,

Therefore, the height of the pedestal is 0.8 m.

Question 9:
The angle of elevation of the top of a building from the foot of the tower is
30° and the angle of elevation of the top of the tower from the foot of the building is
60°. If the tower is 50 m high, find the height of the building.
Answer:

Page 9 of 20
Class X Chapter 9 – Some Applications of Trigonometry Maths

Let AB be the building and CD be the tower.

In ∆CDB,

In ∆ABD,

Therefore, the height of the building is .

Question 10:
Two poles of equal heights are standing opposite each other an either side of the
road, which is 80 m wide. From a point between them on the road, the angles of
elevation of the top of the poles are 60° and 30º, respectively. Find the height of
poles and the distance of the point from the poles.
Answer:

Page 10 of 20
Class X Chapter 9 – Some Applications of Trigonometry Maths

Let AB and CD be the poles and O is the point from where the elevation angles are
measured.
In ∆ABO,

In ∆CDO,

Since the poles are of equal heights,

CD = AB

Page 11 of 20
Class X Chapter 9 – Some Applications of Trigonometry Maths

DO = BD − BO = (80 − 20) m = 60 m

Therefore, the height of poles is and the point is 20 m and 60 m far from
these poles.

Question 11:
A TV tower stands vertically on a bank of a canal. From a point on the other bank
directly opposite the tower the angle of elevation of the top of the tower is 60°. From
another point 20 m away from this point on the line joining this point to the foot of
the tower, the angle of elevation of the top of the tower is 30°. Find the height of the
tower and the width of the canal.

Answer:
In ∆ABC,

Page 12 of 20
Class X Chapter 9 – Some Applications of Trigonometry Maths

In ∆ABD,

Therefore, the height of the tower is m and the width of the canal is
10 m.

Question 12:
From the top of a 7 m high building, the angle of elevation of the top of a cable
tower is 60° and the angle of depression of its foot is 45°. Determine the height of
the tower.

Page 13 of 20
Class X Chapter 9 – Some Applications of Trigonometry Maths

Answer:

Let AB be a building and CD be a cable tower.

In ∆ABD,

In ∆ACE,
AC = BD = 7 m

Therefore, the height of the cable tower is .

Page 14 of 20
Class X Chapter 9 – Some Applications of Trigonometry Maths

Question 13:
As observed from the top of a 75 m high lighthouse from the sea-level, the angles of
depression of two ships are 30° and 45°. If one ship is exactly behind the other on
the same side of the lighthouse, find the distance between the two ships.
Answer:

Let AB be the lighthouse and the two ships be at point C and D respectively.
In ∆ABC,

In ∆ABD,

Therefore, the distance between the two ships is m.

Page 15 of 20
Class X Chapter 9 – Some Applications of Trigonometry Maths

Question 14:
A 1.2 m tall girl spots a balloon moving with the wind in a horizontal line at a height
of 88.2 m from the ground. The angle of elevation of the balloon from the eyes of
the girl at any instant is 60°. After some time, the angle of elevation reduces to 30°.
Find the distance travelled by the balloon during the interval.

Answer:

Let the initial position A of balloon change to B after some time and CD be the girl.
In ∆ACE,

Page 16 of 20
Class X Chapter 9 – Some Applications of Trigonometry Maths

In ∆BCG,

Distance travelled by balloon = EG = CG − CE

Question 15:
A straight highway leads to the foot of a tower. A man standing at the top of the
tower observes a car as an angle of depression of 30°, which is approaching the foot
of the tower with a uniform speed. Six seconds later, the angle of depression of the
car is found to be 60°. Find the time taken by the car to reach the foot of the tower
from this point.
Answer:

Page 17 of 20
Class X Chapter 9 – Some Applications of Trigonometry Maths

Let AB be the tower.

Initial position of the car is C, which changes to D after six seconds.
In ∆ADB,

In ∆ABC,

Time taken by the car to travel distance DC = 6 seconds

Page 18 of 20
Class X Chapter 9 – Some Applications of Trigonometry Maths

Time taken by the car to travel distance DB

Question 16:
The angles of elevation of the top of a tower from two points at a distance of 4 m
and 9 m. from the base of the tower and in the same straight line with it are
complementary. Prove that the height of the tower is 6 m.
Answer:

Let AQ be the tower and R, S are the points 4m, 9m away from the base of the
tower respectively.
The angles are complementary. Therefore, if one angle is θ, the other will be 90 − θ.
In ∆AQR,

In ∆AQS,

Page 19 of 20
Class X Chapter 9 – Some Applications of Trigonometry Maths

On multiplying equations (i) and (ii), we obtain

However, height cannot be negative.

Therefore, the height of the tower is 6 m.

Page 20 of 20