1.

The shadow of a pole standing on a horizontal plane is d metre long when the Suns altitude
is ,then when it is what is the height of the pole?
cos
a)
cos()
cos
b) sin()
sin
c) sin()
sin
d) cos(+)

Answer: c

Solution: Let CD be the pole whose length is h. In BCD ,tan = tan =

x=h cot & in ACD, tan = = x+d=h cot
+

sin sin
h(cot - cot )=dh=cos sin cos sin = sin()
.

2. The lower 24m portion of a 50m tall tower is painted green and the remaining portion red.
What is the distance of a point on the ground from the base of the tower where the two
different portions of the tower subtend equal angles?
a) 60m
b) 72m
c) 90m
d) 120m
Answer: d

Solution: Let AC be the tower whose length is 50m.

24 50
Let AB=24m and BC=26m ,In ABD ,tan = =
. . (1) and in ACD, tan 2= =
24
2 tan 50 2 50 24 2

= from
12
(1) 24 2
= 2 576 = 25
1( )

24 2 = 25 2 576 25x 2 = 576 25

x=24 * 5=120m.
3. What should be the height of a flag where a 20ft long ladder reaches 20ft below the flag.The
angle of elevation of the top of the flag at the foot of the ladder is 60?
a) 20ft
b) 30ft
c) 40ft
d) 202ft

Answer: b

Solution: Let BD is a flag and BD=h+20 ft

+20
In ABD, tan 60= 3 =
(1)

(+20)2
Now in ABC, A 2 = 2 + 2 202 = 3
+ 2

400*3=( + 20)2 + 32=2 + 40 + 400 + 32

2 + 10 200 = 02 + 20 10 200 = 0(h+20)(h-10)=0

h=10 thus height of the flag =BD=BC+CD=10+20=30ft.

4. The angle of elevation of the top of two vertical towers as seen from the middle point of the
line joining the foot of the towers are 60 and 30 respectively. The ratio of the heights of
the tower is _____.
2
a) 1
3
b)
1
3
c) 2
3
d) 1

Answer: d
tan 60 3
Solution: 1 = tan 30=1
2

5. Two verticals poles AL and BM of heights 20m and 80m respectively are stand apart on a
horizontal plane. If A and B be the feet of the poles and AM and BL intersect at P ,the height
of P is equal to _____
a) 50
b) 18
c) 16
d) 15
Answer: c
 80
Solution: From the figure by ABM ,tan = = AQ=h* 80

20
Now in ABL ,tan ==BQ=h* 20

1 1 1+4
Now AB=AQ+BQ=h*AB(80 + 20)1=h( 80 )
80
h= 5 = 16.

6. A tower 100m tall stands on the top of a mount .From a point on the ground, the angle of
elevation of the top and the bottom of the tower are found to be 75 and 45 respectively.
The height of the mount in metres is ____
a) 100(3 1)
b) 50(3 1)
c) 50(3 + 1)
d) 100(3 + 1)

Answer: b

Solution: Let QR be the height of the mount , then PR=(100+h)m

100+ tan +tan

In OQR, = tan 45 = 1 & in OPR
= 75using tan (A+B)=1tan
100+ 100

= 2 + 3h(2 + 3 1)=100h=
3+1

100(31) 100
= (3 1) = 50(3 1).
(3+1)(31) 2

7. A chimney 20m high standing on the top of a building subtends an angle whose tangent is
1/6 at a distance 70m from the foot of the building .The height of the building is ____
a) 50m
b) 40m
c) 60m
d) 20m
Answer: a
 1 +20
Solution: tan =6, tan = 70
, tan = 70

1 1 tan tan
tan =6tan (-)= 6 = 1+tan tan

+20 +20
i.e 6( ) =1+( )
70 70 70 70

620 4900+20+ 2
70
= 7070

2 + 20 + 4900 8400 = 0
2 + 20 3500 = 0 ( 50)( + 70)=0
H=50m.
8. A person, standing on the bank of a river ,observes that the angle subtended by the tree
on the opposite bank is 60.When he retreats 40m from the bank ,he finds the angle to
be 30.What is the breadth of the river?
20m
a) 10m
b) 15m
c) 20m
d) 25m
Answer: c
Solution: h=height of the tree ,x=breadth of the river

In ABC ,tan 60= = 3, similarly in ABD tan 30=+40 + 40 = 3

substituting h value in + 40 = 3 i.e x+40=3*3=3xx=20m is the

breadth of the river.
9. The angles of elevation of the top of a tower from two places situated at distances 21 m
and x m from the base of the tower are 45 and 60 ,respectively .What is the value of x?
a) 73
b) 7 3
c) 7 + 3
d) 14
Answer: a
Solution: Let h be the height of the tower

In ACD ,tan 45=211=21h=21m

In ABD, tan 60= 3 =
21
x= = 73.
3

10. The angle of elevation of the top of a tower of height H from the foot of another tower in
the same plane is 60 and the angle of elevation of the top of the second tower from the
foot of the first tower is 30.If h is the height of the other tower ,then which one of the
following is correct?
a) H=2h
b) H=3h
c) H=3h
d) H=h
Answer: c

Solution: In DBC ,tan 60= 3 = BC= 3(1)

1
In ACB, tan 30= = 3(2) from (1) & (2) we get
3

3 = H=3h.
3

11. The man walks 10 m towards a lamp post and notices that the angle of elevation of the
top of the post increases for 30 to 45.The height of the lamp post is _____
a) 10m
b) 53 + 5m
c) 53 5m
d) 103 + 10m
Answer: b
Solution: Let BL=x m and PL=h m

In PBL,tan 45==1
1
x=h(1),Now in PAL, tan 30=10+ = 3 = 10 +
3

from (1) we have 3 = 10 + (3 1) = 10

10 3+1 10(3+1)
h= = 2 =53 + 5m.
31 3+1

12. The shadow of a tower standing on a level plane is found to be 50 m longer when the
Suns elevation is 30 than when it is 60.The height of the tower is ______
a) 25 m
b) 253 m
c) 50 m
d) 503 m
Answer: b
Solution: Let shadow of an tower made by sun at an 60 is x m .Then by given condition,

shadow of a tower made by a sun at an 30 is 50m longer than at an 60 i.e

(50+x)m
Now in ABC

tan 60 ==3 x= m
3

1
and in ABD , tan 30=+50 = 3h=x+50
3

1
3h= 3+50(3 ) = 50
3

2
= 50h=253 m.
3

13. The top of a hill observed from the top and bottom of a building of height h is at angles
of elevation & respectively. The height of the hill is ______
h cot
a) cot + cot
h cot
b) cot cot
 h tan
c) tan tan
h tan
d)
tan + tan

Answer: b
Solution: Let AD=BE=y and AB=DE=h

Now in ACD ,tan =y=x cot .(1)

+
Now in BCE , tan =
y=(x+h)cot .(2)

From (1) & (2) we get x cot =(x+h)cot

x(cot - cot )=h cot
h cot
x=(cot cot ) but required height is CE=CD+DE=x+h

h cot
=(cot cot ) + =cot cot .

14. From the top of a lighthouse 70m high with its base at sea level ,the angle of depression
of a boat is 15.The distance of the boat from the foot of the lighthouse is ___
a) 70(2-3)m
b) 70(2+3)m
c) 70(3-3)m
d) 70(3+3)m
Answer: b
70 tan tan
Solution: In ABC tan15= tan(45-30)= using tan (A-B)=1+tan

1
1 70 31 70
3
1= =
1+ 3+1
3

3+1 3+1 70(40+23)

x=70 = =70(2+3)m.
31 3+1 2

15. Two poles are 10m and 20m high. The line joining their tips makes an angle of 15 with
the horizontal. What is the distance between the poles?
a) 10(3 1)m
b) 5(4+23)m
c) 20(3 + 1)m
d) 10(3 + 1)m
Answer: b
10
Solution: In APR , tan 15= =tan(45-30)

10 tan 4530 31
= 1+45 30=
3+1

10 31 31

= =2-3
3+1 31

10 2+3
x= =10(2+3)=5(4+23)m
23 2+3

16. The angle of elevation of a tower at a level ground is 30.The angle of elevation becomes
when moved 10m towards the tower.If the height of the tower is 53m,then what is
the value of ?
a) 45
b) 60
c) 75
d) 90
Answer: b
53
Solution: In BCD, tan =
..(1)

53 1
again in ADC, tan 30=+10= 310+x=15

53
x=5m, from(1) we get tan = 5
=60.

17. What is the angle subtended by 1 m pole at a distance 1km on the ground in sexagesimal
measure?
9
a) 50degree
9
b) degree
5
c) 3.4 min
d) 3.5min
Answer: a
Solution: Let CAB=

1
tan = = (radian) tan =0.001(radian)
1000

=1 (0.001)radian=9.999104 radian
180 9
=9.999104
degree=0.05732 degree or 50degree.

18. A tower of height 15m stand vertically on the ground. From a point on the ground the
angle of elevation of the top of the tower is found to be 30.What is the distance of the
point from the foot of the tower?
a) 153
b) 103
c) 53
d) 30
Answer: a
Solution: Let AB=x m then ,in ABC

15 1 15
tan 30== 3=

x=153
19. At a point 15m away from the base of a 15m high house, the angle of elevation of the top
is______
a) 90
b) 60
c) 45
d) 30
Answer: c
Solution: Let the angle of elevation be q thus
 15
In ABC ,tan q= = 15=1q=45.

20. A vertical tower stands on a horizontal plane and is surmounted by a vertical flag staff of
height h. At a point P on the plane ,the angle of elevation of the bottom of the flag staff
and that of top is . What is the height of the tower?
h tan
a) tan tan
h tan
b) tan + tan
h cos
c)
cos cos
h tan
d) tan (+) tan ()

Answer: a
Solution: Let the height of the tower =y=BC

Now in ABC , tan = (1)

+
And in ABP , tan =

y+h=x(tan )

y+h=tan tan

y(tan - tan )=h tan

h tan
y=tan tan .

21. A aeroplane flying at a height of 300m above the ground passes vertically above another
plane at an instant when the angle of elevation of two plane from the same point on the
ground are 60 and 45 respectively. What is the height of the lower plane from the
ground ?
a) 5003
100
b) 3

c) 1003
d) 150(3 + 1)
Answer: c
Solution: Let the height of the lower plane fro the ground=x and PA=y

Now ,in ABP, tan 45= = =1

300
x=y, Again ,in APC, tan 60= =
= 3

300
y=
3

300 3 3003
x= 3= 3 = 1003
3

22. A man standing on the bank of a river observes that the angle of elevation of the top of a
tree just on the opposite bank is 60.The angle of elevation is 30 from a point at a
distance y m from the bank .What is the height of the tree?
a)
b) 2
3
c)
2
1
d) 2

Answer: c
Solution: Let the height of tree=h
Given ,AC=y

In PBC, tan 60= = 3

BC=
3

1
Now in PBA, tan 30= = =
+ 3

From (1) we have 3h={h/3 + }

3h=h+y3
3
2h=y3h= 2 m

23. Two poles are 10m and 20m high. The line joining their tops makes an angle of 15 with
the horizontal. What is the approximation distance between the poles?
a) 35.3m
b) 37.3m
c) 41m
d) 44m
Answer: b
10 10
Solution: Now in EDB, tan 15= tan(60-45)=

31 10
= x=10(2+3)=37.3m
3+1

24. From the top of a lighthouse 120m above the sae, the angle of depression of a boat is
15. What is the (approx)distance of the boat from the lighthouse?
a) 400m
b) 421m
c) 444m
d) 460m
Answer: c
120 31 120
Solution: Now ,in ABC, tan 15=
tan(60-45)= 3+1 =

120(1+3)
x= (1+3)
=120(2+3)=120(3.7)=444m

25. The angle of elevation of the top of a flag post fro a point 5m away from its base is 75.
What is the approximate height of the flag post?
a) 15m
b) 17m
c) 19m
d) 21m
Answer: c
Solution: Let h be the height of the flag post

In ABC, tan 75= = 5

tan 45+30 1+3

= =
1tan 4530 5 31 5

5(4+23)
31
=5(2+3)=5(3.73)=18.66=19m(approx).

26. Looking from the top of a 20m high building ,the angle of elevation of the top of a tower
is 60 and the angle of depression of its bottom is 30. What is the height of the tower?
a) 50 m
b) 60 m
c) 70 m
d) 80 m
Answer: d

Solution: In ABD , tan 30=

AB=203 m

In DCF ,tan 60=

h=3 20 3 = 60 (AB=DC)
Height of the tower is BF=60+20=80 m.
27. The angle of elevation from a point on the bank of a river of the top of a temple on the
other bank is 45. Retreating 50 m, the observer finds the new angle of elevation as 30
.What is the width of the river?
a) 50m
50
b) m
31
c) 503m
d) 100m
Answer: c

Solution: In ABC , tan 45=

1=h=x..(1)

1
Now in ABD, tan 30= =
3 +50

From (1) h+50=h3

50
h=
31

28. The foot of the tower of height h m is in a direct line between two observer A and B .If
the angles of elevation of the top of the tower as seen from A and B are and
respectively and if AB=d m. What is h/d is equal to?
tan(+)
a) cot cot 1
cot(+)
b) cot cot 1
tan(+)
c)
cot cot +1
cot (+)
d) cot cot +1

Answer: b
Solution: AD=x &DB=d-x

In ADC, tan =

x=h cot (1)

In CDB , tan =

d-x=h cot (2)

cot cot 1
adding (1) & (2) we get d=h(cot +cot ).w.k.t cot (+)=
cot +cot

cot cot 1 cot cot 1

i.e cot + cot = d=h( )
cot (+) cot (+)

cot (+)

= cot cot 1.
29. Let PT be a tower of height 2 ,P being the foot ,T being the top of the tower, A,B are
points on the same line with P .If AP=2+1 m, BP=192 m and the angle of elevation of
the tower as seen from B is double the angle of elevation of the tower as seen from A,
then what is the value of x?
a) 6
b) 7
c) 8
d) 9
Answer: c

Solution: PT=2 ,Ap=2+1 and BP=192m

2 1
In PTA, tan = tan =2+1=2

2
Now In PTB , tan 2= =
192

2 tan 2
12 = 192

20.5 2 4
10.50.5 = 1923 192 = 2

2 = 256 = 28 x=8.
30. From the top of a light house ,the angle of depression of two stations on opposite sides
of it a distance a apart are & . Find the height of the light house.

a) cot +cot

b)
cot cot

c) tan +tan

d) tan tan

Answer: a

Solution: Let AC be the light house from figure ,tan =(1)

tan =.(2) from (1) x=tan substituting in(2) we get
 a tan tan tan
tan ( )=hh= =
tan tan +tan cot +cot