Two poles of equal heights are standing opposite to each other on 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 30° respectively. Find the height of the poles and the distances of the point from the poles.

Let AB and ED are two poles of equal height.


Let C be the point of elevation on the ground.


In ∆EDC


tan 60° =



h = √3 --------(1)


In ∆ABC


tan 30° =



√3h = 80-----------(2)



On substituting value of h from eqn.(1) in eqn. (2)


√3


3


4 = 80



On substituting value of in eqn. (1)


√3h = 80-20 60


h =


h = 20√3 m.


Therefore height of poles is 20√3 m. and distances of the points from one pole is 20 m. and from other pole is 80-20 = 60 m.


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