# Math Help - Distance Between Ships

1. ## Distance Between Ships

An observer in a lighthouse 350 feet above sea level observes two ships directly offshore. The angles of depression to the ships are 4 degrees and 6.5 degrees. How far apart are the two ships?

2. ## Re :

Originally Posted by magentarita
An observer in a lighthouse 350 feet above sea level observes two ships directly offshore. The angles of depression to the ships are 4 degrees and 6.5 degrees. How far apart are the two ships?

Try applying trigo , draw 2 triangle diagrams . Then you should be able to find the horizontal distances of both ships from the lighthouse .

3. ## what.....

Originally Posted by mathaddict
Try applying trigo , draw 2 triangle diagrams . Then you should be able to find the horizontal distances of both ships from the lighthouse .
Can you set up the equation(s) for this one?

I'll be able to take it form there.

Also, provide the steps.

4. ## Re :

Originally Posted by magentarita
Can you set up the equation(s) for this one?

I'll be able to take it form there.

Also, provide the steps.
There are two ships , let them be ship A and ship B.

Let X be the distance of ship A from the light house .

tan 4 =350 / X

Let Y be the distance of ship B from the light house

tan 83.5 = y/350

I got 83.5 from 90-6.5

I assume 'directly offshore' as both ships are offshore in the same path or if i intepreted the question wrongly , the above working would not be valid . .

5. ## ok...

Originally Posted by mathaddict
There are two ships , let them be ship A and ship B.

Let X be the distance of ship A from the light house .

tan 4 =350 / X

Let Y be the distance of ship B from the light house

tan 83.5 = y/350

I got 83.5 from 90-6.5