In the above figure, let B be the position of the man and AE be the cliff. We are given that the position of the man is 16 m above water level. Draw a line BD to a point D on the water level. So, BD = 16 m. Now, we are given that the angle of elevation of the top of the tower from the position of the man is 60°. Join A and B. Also, draw a line BC on to the line AE parallel to the water level. Then we get a right angled triangle ABC with right angle at B and ∠ABC = 60°. Also, the angle of depression of the bottom of the tower from the position of the man is 30°. So, ∠CBE = 30°. Joining B and E we get a right angled triangle BDE. And, ∠BED = ∠CBE = 30°. We need to find the distance of the ship from the cliff, that is DE and the height of the cliff AE.

We first find DE from the ∆BDE by using the trigonometric ratio tan.

In ∆BDE,

or,

or,

Now, BC = DE = 16√3 m.

From ∆ABC,

or,

or,

Also, CE = BD = 16 m.

Hence, the height of the cliff is AE = AC + CE = 48 + 16 = 64 m.