Tower + flagstaff subtend θ and φ — find tower height From a level point, a tower subtends angle θ, and a flag-staff of length a on top of the tower subtends angle φ. Find the height of the tower (in terms of a, θ, φ).

Difficulty: Hard

Correct Answer: asin θ cos φ / cos ( θ + φ )

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This identity arises from stacking vertical segments (tower and flagstaff) along a common baseline. Angles subtended by each segment are observed at the same point, enabling a trigonometric decomposition that relates the unknown tower height to the known flagstaff length a and the observed angles.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Horizontal ground; vertical tower and flagstaff.
  • Angle subtended by tower alone = θ.
  • Angle subtended by flagstaff alone = φ.


Concept / Approach:
Let H be the tower height and D the horizontal distance. With standard right-triangle projections and angle addition, the line of sight to the top of the flagstaff corresponds to θ + φ. Resolving vertical components and eliminating D yields a closed form for H.


Step-by-Step Solution (outline):

tan θ = H/Dtan(θ + φ) relates to the combined height (H + a) and the same DElimination gives H = a · sin θ · cos φ / cos(θ + φ)


Verification / Alternative check:
Dimensions check: result scales linearly with a; as φ → 0, the expression reduces appropriately.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
They misplace composite angles or invert trig functions, breaking the derivation constraints.


Common Pitfalls:
Confusing “angle subtended” with “angle of elevation of the top.” Here θ and φ pertain to separate vertical segments.


Final Answer:
asin θ cos φ / cos ( θ + φ )

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