Thread: 3D question

A pole, base at O, is on the west bank of a river. Two points, A and B, stand on the east bank of the river whose banks run parallel north to south. A to the south of O and B to the north. the distance AB is [tex]2a\sqrt{7}[/math and the angle AOB is . If the angle of elevation of the top of the pole, P, from A is and from B, find in terms of a the height of the pole and the width of the river.

I know OP=OA and OA=
and but i don't know how to eliminate the sinB
thanks

Originally Posted by arze

I know OP=OA and OA=
and but i don't know how to eliminate the sinB
thanks

OB = = sqrt{3}OP
OA= = OP
Sin(A)/sin(B) = sqrt{3}. But A = (30 - B)
So sin(30 - B)/sin(B) = sqrt{3}. expand sin(30-B)
(sin30*cos(B) - cos30*sinB)/sin(B) = sqrt{3}
1/2*cot(B) - sqrt{3}/2 = sqrt{3}
Solve the equation and find the angle B.