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The angle of elevation of the top of a tower standing on a horizontal plane from a point A is α. After walking a distance a towards the foot of the tower, the angle of elevation is found to be β. The height of the tower is :

Correct Answer: a Sin α Sin β/ Sin(β - α)

Explanation:

Let OP be the tower of height h (say) and A and B be the two positions on the horizontal line through O, such that
OAP = α, OBP = β and OB = x
In ΔOBP, Use the trigonometry formula
Tanβ = P/B = Perpendicular distance / Base distance
Tanβ = OP/OB
OB = OP/Tanβ
OB = OP Cotβ
Put the value of OB and OP , We will get
x = h Cot β...............(1)
In ΔOAP, Similarly
Tanα = OP/OA
⇒ OA = OP/ Tanα
⇒ OA = OP Cot α
Put the value of OA and OP
a + x = h Cot α
x = h Cot α - a ............(2)
From equation (1) and (2)
h Cot β = h Cot α - a
a = h Cot α - h Cot β
a = h (Cot α - Cot β)
a = h (Cos α/ Sin α - Cos β / Sin β )
a = h( (Cos α Sin β - Cos β Sin α ) /Sin α Sin β )
a = h( Sin(β - α) / Sin α Sin β)
h = a Sin α Sin β/ Sin(β - α)


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