Some Applications of Trigonometry 

QA Test (1)
Subjective Test  
Question 1 ( 1.0 marks)
A rope supporting the flagstaff of Indian flag in a school is fixed to the ground  m away from the
flagstaff, making an angle of elevation of 30° to the ground as shown in the following figure. Find the
length of the rope.

Solution:

Here, AB denotes the flagstaff and AC denotes the rope with which the flagstaff is being supported.

We have to find the length of the rope i.e., AC.

In right ΔABC,

Thus, the length of the rope is 20 m.

Question 2 ( 3.0 marks)

Aman is standing along a straight road. He notices the top of the TV tower subtending an angle of
30° with the ground at the point where he was standing. If the height of the TV tower is 235 m, then
find the distance of Aman from the foot of the tower.

Solution:

In the given figure, PR denotes the TV tower.

The height of the TV tower is given to be 235 m.

∴ PR = 235 m

Here, point Q denotes the position of Aman. We have to find the distance of Aman from the foot of the
tower i.e., we have to find QR.

In ΔPQR,

Thus, Aman is standing at a distance of 406.55 m from the tower.

Question 3 ( 3.0 marks)

The angles of elevation of the top of a tower from two points, distant a and b from its base in the

same straight line, are complementary. Show that the height of the tower is  .

Solution:

Let the two discussed points be A and B.

We have BC = a and AC = b

Here, CD represents the tower.

Let ∠DBC = θ

∴ ∠DAC = 90° − θ ( the angles are given to be complementary)

In ΔDBC,
In ΔDAC,

Multiplying (1) and (2), we obtain

Thus, the height of the tower is .

Hence, proved

Question 4 ( 6.0 marks)

At the foot of a mountain, the elevation of its peak is 45°. After ascending 2 km towards the peak at
an inclination of 30°, the elevation becomes 60°.

Find the height of the mountain.

Solution:
Let BC represents the height of the mountain, where C is the peak of the mountain.

We have to find the height of the mountain i.e., BC.

It is given that AD = 2 km

In ΔADF,
In ΔDCE,

∴AB = AF + FB

In ΔABC,
Thus, the height of the mountain is 2.74 km.

Question 5 ( 6.0 marks)

Arjun standing on a horizontal plane observes that a bird at a distance of 100 m from him is at an
elevation of 60°. Aditi standing on a roof of a 30 m tall building observes that the same bird is making
an angle of elevation of 45°. Both Arjun and Aditi are on the opposite sides of the bird. Find the
distance of the girl from the bird.

Solution:

In the figure, C denotes the position of the bird, A denotes the position of Arjun, and F denotes the
position of Aditi. It is given that the bird is at a distance of 100 m from Arjun.

∴AC = 100 m

It is given that Aditi is standing on a roof of a 30 m tall building.

∴FD = EB = 30 m

In ΔACB,
In ΔCEF,

Thus, Aditi is at a distance of 79.9 m from the bird.

Question 6 ( 6.0 marks)

There are two malls of equal heights on a straight road exactly opposite to each other. The width of
the road is 100 m. From a point somewhere lying in between them on the road, the angles of
elevation of the top of the malls are 45° and 30° respectively. Find the heights of the malls and the
distances of the point from these malls.

Solution:

Let PQ and ST represent the two malls. We have PQ = ST

It is given that the width of the road is 100 m i.e., the distance between the two malls is 100 m.

Let RS = x m
∴QR = (100 − x) m

In ΔPQR,

⇒ PQ = (100 − x) m (1)

In ΔRST,

∴The distances of the point (lying between the two malls) from the two malls are 63.37 m and 36.63
m.

Also, PQ = (100 − x) m = (100 − 63.37) m = 36.63 m

Thus, the height of the malls is 36.63 m.

Question 7 ( 6.0 marks)

The angle of elevation of the top of a tower from the foot of a statue is 60° and the angle of elevation
of the top of the statue from the foot of the tower is 30°. If the tower is 60 m high, then find the
height of the statue.

Solution:
Let AB denote the statue and CD denote the tower. The height of the tower is given to be 60 m.

∴ CD = 60 m

We have to find the height of the statue i.e., we have to find AB.

In ΔBCD,

In ΔABC,

Thus, the height of the statue is 20 m.

Question 8 ( 6.0 marks)
From the top of a 10 m high building, the angle of elevation of the top of a tower is θand the angle of
depression of its foot is 45°. Find the angleθ, if the height of the tower is 17 m more than the height

of the building. (Take )

Solution:

Let AB denote the building and CD denote the tower. It is given that the height of the building is 10 m.

∴ AB = 10 m

It is also given that the angle of depression from the top of the building to the foot of the tower is 45°.

∴∠DAE = ∠ADB = 45° (As the alternate interior angles are equal)

In ΔABD,

Now it is given that the height of the tower is 17 m more than the height of the building.

In ΔAEC,

We know that tan 60° = 

∴ θ = 60°

Question 9 ( 6.0 marks)

A helicopter flying at an altitude of 1600 metres finds that two ships are sailing in the same direction
towards it. The angles of depression of the ships as observed from the helicopter are 45°and
30° respectively. Find the distance between the two ships.

Solution:

In the figure, AB denotes the height of the helicopter and the points C and D represent the two ships.

AB = 1600 m

Now, AX and BC are parallel lines.

∴∠CAX = ∠ACB (Alternate interior angles are equal)

And, ∠DAX = ∠ADB (Alternate interior angles are equal)

∴∠ADB = 45° and ∠ACB = 30°

We have to find the distance between the two ships i.e., the distance CD.

In ΔABD,

⇒ BD = 1600 m

In ΔABC,

⇒ BC = 1600 

⇒ BD + DC = 1600  ( BC = BD + DC)

⇒ DC = 

Thus, the distance between the two ships is 1168 m.

Question 10 ( 6.0 marks)

A 1.6 m tall boy watches an aeroplane in the sky through his binoculars making an angle of elevation
as 60°. If the horizontal distance between the boy and the aeroplane is 1200 m at a particular time,
then find the altitude of the aeroplane.

Solution:

In the given figure, BD represents the boy. The height of the boy is given to be 1.6 m.

∴ BD = 1.6 m

The point A represents the position of the aeroplane at the discussed particular time.

It is also given that at that time, the horizontal distance between the boy and the aeroplane is 1200
m.

∴ BC = DE = 1200 m

We have to find the altitude of the aeroplane i.e., AE.

In ΔABC,

∴AE = AC + CE = 2076 m + 1.6 m = 2077.6 m

Thus, the altitude of the aeroplane is 2077.6 cm.