HIGHER MATH

Trigonometry

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 Trigonometry

Definitions & Review of Concepts

Angle: When a ray OA rotates about the point O from an
initial position OA to final position OB, we say that AOB
has been formed.
OA is called the initial side and OB, the terminal side of
AOB. B

O A

Positive & Negative Angles: When the ray OA rotates in

anticlockwise direction, a positive angle is formed, and
when it moves in clockwise direction, a negative angle is
formed.
B A
-

+
B
O A

1
Quadrants: Let X’ OX and YOY’ be two lines at right angles
to each other. We call X’ OX and YOY’ as x- axis and y-axis
respectively.
These lines divide the plane into 4 parts. The parts XOY,
YOX’, X’OY’ and Y’OX are known as 1st, 2n, 3rd and 4th
quadrant respectively.
An angle is said to be in a particular quadrant, if the
terminal side of the angle lies in that quadrant.

II I

III IV

Measurement of Angles: Mainly there are three systems

for measuring angles.
Sexagesimal system: In this system, angle is measured
in degrees.
I right angle = 900, 10 = 60’ and 1’ = 60”.
Centesimal system: In this system angle is measured in
grades.
I right angle = 100g, 1g = 100’ and 1’ = 100”.

2
Circular Measure: In this system, angle is measured in
radius.
The angle subtended at the centre of a circle by an arc of
length equal to its radius is 1 radian, written as 1c.
 = 180 = 200R = 2 right angles
Formulae
I. Relation between Angle, Radius & Arc Length:

Q S
y
x x
y
P R
T

If C is the angle made by an arc of lengths at the centre

S
of a circle of radius r, then  =
r.

O
r B

S
A

3
II. Trigonometric Ratios: P
sin   Perp.  PM ; cos   Base  AM ;
Hyp. AP Hyp. AP
Perp. PM
tan    ;
Base AM
1 1 cos 
cosec   ; sec   ; cot   .
sin  cos  sin  
III. Identities: A M
sin  cos 
(i) tan   (ii) cot  
cos  sin 

(iii) sin2 + cos2 = 1 (iv) 1 + tan2 = sec2

(v) 1 + cot2 = cosec2
IV. Values of T-Ratios:
Angle sin  cos  tan 
00 0 1 0
 1 1
300 = 3
6 2 2 3
 1 1 1
450 =
4 2 2
 1
600 = 3 3
3 2 2
 1 0 
900 =
2
1800 =  0 -1 0

4
V. Sign of T-Ratios:
1st Quadrant: All positive.
2nd Quadrant: sin & cosec  positive.
3rd Quadrant: tan & cot  positive.
4th Quadrant: cos & sec  positive.
Remember: I II III IV
All sin tan cos
VI. Range of T-Ratios:
(i) – 1 ≤ sin  ≤ 1 and – 1 ≤ cos  ≤ 1
Thus, | sin  | ≤ 1 and | cos  | ≤ 1.
The value of sin is never greater than 1 and never
less than – 1.
The value of cos is never greater than 1 and never
less than – 1.
(ii) cosec  1 and cosec  ≤ -1.
(iii) sec  1 and sec  ≤ - 1.
(iv) tan  may assume any value.

5
VII. Increasing & Decreasing Functions:
 
(i) The value of sin  increase from - to . As 
2 2
increases in this interval, then sin  also increases.
(ii) 1st Quadrant: sin  increases from 0 to 1 ; cos 
decreases from 1 to 0 and tan  increases from 0
to .
(iii) 2nd Quadrant: sin  decreases from 1 to 0 ; cos 
decreases from 0 to – 1; tan  decreases from  to
0.
(iv) 3rd Quadrant: sin  decreases from 0 to – 1 ; cos 
increases from – 1 to 0; tan  increases from 0 to
.
(v) 4th Quadrant: sin  increases from – 1 to 0; cos 
increases from 0 to 1; tan  decreases from  to 0.
VIII. T-Ratios of Negative, Complementary,
Supplementary Angles etc.
(i) sin (- ) = - sin , cos (- ) = cos , tan (- ) = - tan .
(ii) sin (900 - ) = cos ; cos (900 - ) = sin ; tan (900 -
) = cot .
(iii) sin (900 + ) = cos ; cos (900 + ) = - sin ; tan (900
+ ) = - cot .

6
(iv) sin (1800 - ) = sin ; cos (1800 - ) = - cos ; tan
(1800 - ) = - tan .
(v) sin (1800 + ) = - sin ; cos (1800 + ) = - cos; tan
(1800 + ) = tan.
(vi) sin (3600 - ) = - sin , cos (3600 - ) = cos ; tan
(3600 - ) = - tan .
(vii) sin (3600 + ) = sin , cos (3600 + ) = cos , tan
(3600 + ) = tan .
IX. Sum & Difference Formula:
(i) sin (x + y) = sin x cos y + cos x sin y.
(ii) sin (x – y) = sin x cos y – cos x sin y.
(iii) cos (x + y) = cos x cos y – sin x sin y
(iv) cos (x – y) = cos x cos y + sin x sin y.
(v) 2 sin x cos y = sin (x + y) + sin (x – y).
(vi) 2 cos x sin y = sin (x + y) – sin (x – y).
(vii) 2 cos x cos y = cos (x + y) + cos (x -y).
(viii) 2 sin x sin y = cos (x – y) – cos (x + y).
(ix) sin2x – sin2y = sin (x + y). sin (x - y).
(x) cos2 x – sin2y = cos (x + y). cos (x – y).

7
X. Some More Formulae:
CD CD
(i) sin C + sin D = 2 sin   cos 
 2   2 
CD CD
(ii) sinC – sin D = 2 cos   sin  
 2   2 
C D CD
(iii) cosC + cosD = 2 cos   cos 
 2   2 
C D CD
(iv) cosC – cosD = - 2 sin   sin 
 2   2 

XI. Tangent Formulae:

tan x  tan y
(i) tan (x + y) =
1  tan x tan y

tan x  tan y
(ii) tan (x – y) =
1  tan x tan y

XII. T-Ratios of Multiple Angles:

(i) sin 2x = 2 sin xcosx
(ii) cos 2x = cos2x – sin2x = 2 cos2x -1 = 1 – 2 sin2x.
(iii) 1 + cos 2x = 2 cos2x and 1 – cos 2x = 2 sin2x.
(iv) sin 3x = 3 sin x – 4 sin3x
(v) cos 3x = 4 cos3x – 3 cosx

8
 2 tan x
(vi) tan 2x =
1  tan 2 x

 3 tan x  tan 3 x 
(vii) tan 3x =  

 1  3 tan x
2

1  tan 2 x
(viii) cos 2x =
1  tan 2 x
2 tan x
(ix) sin 2x =
1  tan 2 x

XIII. T-Ratios of Sub-multiple Angles:

(i) sinx = 2 sin (x/2) cos (x/2)

cosx = cos2  sin 2

x x x x
(ii)  2 cos2  1  1  2 sin 2
2 2 2 2
2 tan(x / 2)
(iii) tanx =
1  tan 2 ( x / 2)

1 – cosx = 2 sin2 and 1 + cosx = 2 cos2

x x
(iv)
2 2
2 tan(x / 2)
(v) sinx =
1  tan 2 ( x / 2)

1  tan 2 ( x / 2)
(vi) cosx =
1  tan 2 ( x / 2)

XIV. T-Ratios of Some Special Angles:

3 1
(i) sin 150 =  cos 75 0
2 2

9
 3 1
(ii) cos 150 =  sin 75 0
2 2

(iii) sin 180 = 5  1  cos 72 0

4

10  2 5
(iv) cos 180 =  sin 72 0
4

10  2 5
(v) sin 360 =  cos 54 0
4

(vi) cos 360 = 5  1  sin 54 0

4
0
2 2
(vii) sin 22 1 =
2 2
0
2 2
(viii) cos 22 1 =
2 2

XV. Trigonometric Equations:

(i) sin = 0  = n 

(ii) cos = 0  = (2n + 1)
2

(iii) tan = 0  = n 
XVI. Periodicity: A function f (x) has periodicity p, if f (x +
p) = f (x). sinx has periodicity 2, since sin (x + 2)

10
 = sin x. cosx has periodicity 2, since cos (x + 2) =
cosx
Things To Remember:
   
1.  300 ,  450 ,  600 ,  900 ,  = 1800& 2 = 3600.
6 4 3 2

2. (i) All T-ratios are positive in 1st quadrant.

(ii) sin and cosec  are + ve in 1st& 2ndqradrants.
(iii) tan and cot  are + ve in 1st& 3rd quadrants.
(iv) cos and sec  are + ve in 1st& 4th quadrants.
3. (i) sin (1800 - ) = sin ; tan (1800 + ) = tan ;
cos (3600 - ) = cos.
(ii) sin ( - ) = sin ; tan ( + ) = tan , cos (2 - )
= cos.
4. (i) 2 sin AcosB = sin (A + B) + sin (A – B)
(ii) 2 cosA sin B = sin (A + B) – sin (A – B)
(iii) 2 cosAcosB = cos (A + B) + cos (A – B)
(iv) 2 sin A sin B = cos (A -B) – cos (A + B)

11
Solved Examples:
5
1. Convert radians into degrees.
6

Sol. c = 1800
c 0
5 180 5
        1500
 6    6 

2. Convert 1350 into radians.

Sol. 1800 = c
c
 3
1350 =   135   radians
 180   4 
12 
3. If sin  = and    , find the values of cos, tan ,
13 2
cosec , sec  and cot .

Sol. Since    , so  lies in 2nd quadrant
2

In 2nd quadrant, cos is negative.

144 25  5
cos = - 1  sin 2    1   
169 169 13
sin   12 1 13
tan =  ; cos ec   ;
cos  5 sin  12
1  13 1 5
sec =  and cot   
cos  5 tan  12

12
 9 3
4. If cot , = and << , find the value of cosec ,
40 2
tan , sec , cos and sin .

lies in 3rd quadrant

3
Sol. Since << , so 
2

In 3rd quadrant, cosec  is negative.

81 1681 41
cosec = - 1  cot2    1   
1600 1600 40
1 40 1 40
sin =   , tan  =  .
cos ec 41 cot  9

Also, cos = (cot  × sin)

9   40   9 1 41
=   , sec =  .
40  41  41 cos  9

5. If tan  = - 1 and    , find the value of sec .
2

Sol. Since    , so  lies in 2nd quadrant
2

And, sec  is negative in 2nd quadrant.

sec = - 1  tan 2    1  (1) 2   2.

13
6. Evaluate: sin2 600 + cos2 300 + cot2 450 + sec2 600 –
cosec2 300 + cos2 00.

Sol. We know that: sin 600 = 3 , cos 300

2

= 3 , cot 450 = 1; sec 600 = =2; cosec 300

1
2 0
cos 60

=2 & cos 00 = 1.
1
=
sin 30 0

sin2 600 + cos2 300 + cot2 450 + sec2 600 – cosec2

300 + cos2 00
 
2
 
2 
=  3    3   12  2 2  2 2  12   7
 2   2 
   2
 

7. Evaluate: cosec2 900 + sec2 300 + tan2 300 + tan2

600 + sin2 00 + cosec2 600.

Sol. We know that cosec 900 = 300

1
 1, sec
sin 900

= 1
0

2
; tan 300 = 1 , tan 600
cos30 3 3

= 3 , sin 00 = 0, cosec 600 =

1 2
0
 ,
sin 60 3

 cosec2 900 + sec2 300 + tan2 300 + tan2 600 + sin2

00 + cosec2 600

14
   2  
 
2 2 2
 2   1  2
12        3  0 2    
  3  3  3  
=
 4 1 4
 1    3  0    7.
 3 3 3

   
8. Evaluate:  sin  cos  tan 3  cos ec 2 .
 6 3 4 2
 
Sol. We know that: sin = sin 300 = cos = cos 600 =
6 3
1
;
2

tan = tan 450 = 1 and cosec   1  1
 1.
4 2  sin 900
sin
2
   
sin  cos  tan 3  cos ec 2     13  12   1.
1 1
6 3 4 2 2 2 

9. Find the values of:

(i) sin 1500 (ii) cos 1350 (iii) tan (-2100)
(iv) cot 2400 (v) sec 3300 (vi) cosec 3900

Sol. (i) sin 1500 = sin (1800 – 300) = sin 300 =

1
2

cos 1350 = cos (1800 – 450) = - cos 450 = -

1
(ii)
2

15
(iii) tan (-2100) = - tan 2100 = - tan (1800 + 300) = - tan
300 = - 1
3

cot 2400 = cot (1800 + 600) = cot 600 =

1
(iv)
3

(v) sec 3300 = sec (3600 – 300) = sec 300 = 1

0

2
cos 30 3

(vi) cosec 3900 = cosec (3600 + 300) = cosec 300 =

1
2
sin 300
1
10. If sin  = and 0 << 2, find the values of .
2
1  π
Sol. sin  = = sin θ
2 6 6

Also, sin  = sin (- ).

π π 5π
sin = sin ( - ) = sin
6 6 6
π 5π
Hence, the required values of  are and
6 6

11. If sec  = 2 and 0 << 2, find the values of .

1 π π
Sol. sec =2 cos = = cos  =
2 3 3

But, cos = cos (2 - ).

16
 cos = cos  2π -   cos
π π 5π
3  3 3
π 5π
Hence, the required values of  are and
3 3

12. If tan  = 3 and 0 << 2, find the values of .

π π
Sol. tan  = 3 = tan θ
3 3

But, tan  = tan (+ ).

π  π 4π
So, tan  tan  π    tan
3  3 3
π 4π
Hence, the required values of  are and
3 3

13. Find the values of:

(i) sin 560 – cos 340
(ii) sin2 410 + sin2 590
tan 570
(iii)
cot 330
cos(900  θ) . sec (- θ) . tan (1800  θ)
(iv)
sec (3600  θ) . sin (1800  θ) . cot (900  θ)

(v) cos 7800 + sin 4800

Sol. (i) sin 560 – cos 340 = sin 560 – cos (900 – 560) =
sin 560 – sin 560 = 0.

17
 (ii) sin2 410 + sin2 590 = sin2 410 + sin2 (900 – 410) =
sin2 410 + cos2 410 = 1.
tan 57 0 tan (900  330 ) cot 330
(iii)   1
cot 330 cot 330 cot 330

 
cos 900  θ . sec (θ) . tan(1800  θ)

sec(3600  θ) . sin (1800  θ) . cot (900  θ)
(iv)
( sin θ) . sec θ . (-tan θ)  sin θ . sec θ . tan θ
  1
sec (θ) . (-sin θ) . tan θ sec θ . sin θ . tan θ

(v) cos 7800 + sin 4800 = cos (3600 × 2 + 600) + sin

(3600 + 1200) = cos 600 + sin 1200 = cos 600 +
sin (1800 – 600) = cos 600 + sin 600 =
1   
  3    3 1
2 2   2 
   

14. If tan 620 = p , find the value of tan 280.

q

Sol. tan 280 = tan (900 – 620) = cot 620 = p ,

q

15. If x2 + y2 + z2 = r2 and x = rcosA sin B, y = r sin A sin

B, find the value of z.
Sol. x2 + y2 = r2 cos2A sin2B + r2 sin2A sin2B
= r2 sin2B (cos2A + sin2A) = r2 sin2B.
Now, x2 + y2 + z2 = r2z2 = r2 – (x2 + y2)

18
 z2 = r2 – r2 sin2B = r2 (1 - sin2B) = r2 cos2B
Hence, z = r cos B
16. Evaluate:
(i) sin 790cos 190 – cos 790 sin 190
(ii) cos 480cos 120 – sin 480 sin 120
(iii) cos 700cos 400 + sin 700 sin 400
(iv) sin 360cos 90 + cos 360 sin 90
Sol. (i) sin 790cos 190 – cos 790 sin 190 = sin (790 – 190)
= sin 600 = 3
[ sin xcosy – cosx sin y = sin (x
2
– y)]
(ii) cos 480cos 120 – sin 480 sin 120 = cos (480 +
120) = cos 600 =
1 
[ cosxcosy – sin x sin y = cos
2
(x + y)]
(iii) cos 700cos 400 + sin 700 sin 400 = cos (700 –
400) = cos 300 =
3 
[ cosxcosy + sin x sin y = cos
2
(x – y)]
(iv) sin 360cos 90 + cos 360 sin 90 = sin (360 + 90) =
sin 450 =
1
2

19
17. If 0 << 900, solve the following equations:
(i) 2 cos2 + sin  - 2 = 0
(ii) tan2 + 3 = 3 sec 
Sol. (i) 2 cos2 + sin  - 2 = 0  2 (1 – sin2) + sin  - 2 =
0
 2 sin2 - sin  = 0  sin  (2 sin  - 1) = 0
1
sin = 0 or sin  =
2
π
 = [  0]
6

(ii) tan2 + 3 = 3 sec  (sec2 - 1) + 3 = 3 sec 

 sec2 - 3 sec  + 2 = 0  (sec  - 2) (sec  - 1) = 0
sec = 2 or sec  = 1
π
 = [  0]
3

18. Find the values of tan 150 and cos 1050.

Sol. tan 150 = tan (450 – 300) =
1
1
3   3  1 
0 0
tan 45  tan 30
  3 1
0 0
1  tan 45 tan 30 1
1  
3

cos 1050 = cos (600 + 450)

20
 = cos 600cos 450 – sin 600 sin 450 =
1 1 3 1   1  3 
    
2 2 2   2 2 
 2

a 2 b2
19. If x = a sin  and y = btan , prove that :   1.
x 2 y2

a b
Sol. Clearly, = cosec  and = cot .
x y

Squaring and subtracting, we get:

 a 2 b2 
 
 2  2   cos ec 2   cot2   1
x y 


20. Which of the following relations is true?

(i) sec2 + tan2 = 1
(ii) tan2 + cot2 = 1
(iii) cosec2 - cot2 = 1
(iv) cot2 - cosec2 = 1
Sol. Since 1 + cot2 = cosec2, so cosec2 - cot2 = 1 is
the true statement.
21. If x and y are the angles lying in the second
quadrant and x<y, then which one of the following
is true?
(a) sinx< sin y (b) sin x> sin y (c) sin x = sin y

21
Sol. In 2nd quadrant sin x decreases as x increases.
y>x sin y< sin x
Hence x<y sin x> sin y
4
22. If sin  = , find the values of
5

sin 2, cos 2, tan 2, sin 3 and cos 3

16 9 3
Sol. cos = 1  sin 2   1   
25 25 5

sin 2  = 2 sin cos =  2     ;

4 3 24
 5 5 25

7
cos 2 = (1 – 2 sin2) = 1  2    ;
16
 25  25

sin 2 24  25   24
tan 2 =    ;
cos2 25   7  7

 3

sin 3 = 3 sin  - 4 sin3 = 3  4  4   4    44 ;
 5  5   125

 3

cos 3 = (4 cos3 - 3 cos) = 4   3   3  3    117 ;
 5 5  125

22
 3
23. If tan  = , find the values of cos 2 and sin 2.
4
 9 
 1 
1  tan  
2
16    7  16   7
Sol. cos 2 = 
1  tan 
2
 9   16 25  25
1  
 16 

 3 
2 tan   2 
sin 2 =  4    3  16   24
1  tan   1  9   2 25  25
2
 
 16 

24. Evaluate: cos2 450 – sin2 150.

Sol. We know that cos2 - sin2
= cos (+ ) . cos ( - )
 cos2 450 – sin2 150
= cos (450 + 150) .cos (450 – 150)

= cos600 .cos 300 =  = 1  3  3

2 2 4
25. Prove that:
sin 5  sin 3 sin   sin 3
(i)  tan  (ii)  tan 2
cos 3  cos 5 cos   cos3
sin 3x  sin x
(iii)  cot 2x
cos x  cos3x

23
  5  3   5  3 
2 cos  sin  
sin 5  sin 3  2   2   tan 
Sol. (i) 
cos3  cos5  5  3   5  3 
2 cos  cos 
 2   2 
 CD CD 
 U sin g sin C  sin D  2 cos 2  sin  2  
     
  C  D   C  D 
 cos C  cos D  2 cos  cos 
  2   2 

 3     3   
2 sin   cos 
sin   sin 3  2   2 
(ii)   tan 2
cos  cos3  3     3   
2 cos  cos 
 2   2 
  C  D   C  D 
 U sin g sin C  sin D  2 sin  2  cos 2 
    
 CD CD 
and cos C  cos D  2 cos  cos  
  2   2  

 3x  x   3x  x 
2 cos  sin  
sin 3x  sin x  2   2   cot 2x
(iii) 
cos x  cos3x  3x  x   3x  x 
2 sin   sin  
 2   2 

Angles of Elevation and Depression

Suppose we wish to determine the height of a tall tree
without climbing to the top of it. We could stand on the
ground at a point some distance (say 20m) from the foot
B of the tree.

24
Suppose we are able to measure angle BAC and suppose
we find it to be 300. Then, just as in Example, we
calculate the height BC of the tree to be BC= 20 =11.5m
3
(approx)
Object C
Line of sight
Angle of elevation

300
B A
Horizontal line 20m

Suppose we are viewing an object. The line of sight or

the line of vision is a straight line from our eye to the
object we are viewing.
If the object is above the horizontal form the eye (i.e. if it
is at object. In the process, our eyes move through an
angle. This angle is called the angle of elevation of the
object.
If the object is below the horizontal from the eye (i.e., at a
lower level than ourselves), then we have to turn our

25
head downwards to view the object. In the process, our
eyes move through an angle. This angle is called the
angle of depression of the object.
1. A man wishes to find the height of a fagpost which
stand on a elevation of the top of the flagpost to be
450. On walking 30 metres towards the tower he
find the corresponding angle of elevation to be 600.
Find the height of the flagpost.
1. 62m 2.82m 3. 71m
4. 30 3m 5. None of these
Sol. AB=height of flagpost = xm
In ∆ ABD A

Tan 600=
AB
BD

0
450 60

C B
30m D x

x
 BD= .......(i)
3

26
 tan 450 =
AB
BD  DC

x x ( 3  1) 30 3
  30  x   30 x   71m
3 3 0.732

2. A small boy is standing at some distance from a

flagpost. When he sees the flag the angle of
elevation formed is 600. If the height of the
flagpost is 30ft, what is the distance of the child
from the flagpost?
1. 15 3 ft 2. 10 3 ft 3. 20 3 ft

4. 20 ft 5. None of these A
3
AB
Sol.  tan 60 0
BC
30
Or,  3 30 ft
BC
3  3  10
Or, BC=  10 3 ft 60
0
3
C B

3. The angles of elevation of top and bottom of a flag

kept on a flagpost from 30 metres distance are 450
and 300 respectively. What is the height of the flag?
1. 17.32m 2.14.32m 3. 12.68m

27
 4. 12 3 ft 5. None of these

Soln. tan 450 =

AC
or, AC  30m A
30

tan 300 = BC or, BC  30

30 3
B
Height of flag AB

= 30  30  30  10 3 = 30-17.2 0
3 0 45
30
=12.68m D
30m
C

4. 300m from the foot of a cliff on level ground, the

angle of elevation of the top of a cliff is 300. Find
the height of this cliff.
Sol. Let the height of the cliff AB be x m
In ∆ ABC A

tan 300 =
AB x

BC 300
300
  100 3  173.20m
3

0
30
B C
300m

28
5. The horizontal distance between two towers is
50 3 m. The angle of depression of the first tower
when seen from the top of the second tower is 300.
If the height of the second tower is 160m, find the
height of the first tower.
M A
0
30

160 m
0
30 P
C

D B

Sol. Let AB be the tower 160m high.

Let CD be another tower of height x m
Since, AM  PC
angle MAC = angle ACP = 300
So, in ∆ APC

tan 300 =
AP 1 AP
 
PC 3 50 3

 AP = 50m

29
  The height of the other tower – AB - AP=160-
50=110m
6. Two poles of equal heights stand on either sides of
a roadway which is 120m wide. At a point on the
roadway between the poles, the elevations of the
tops of the pole are 600 and 300. Find the heights of
the poles and the position of the point.
Soln. Let AB and CD be two poles = xm and P the point
on the road.
Let BP = y m; then PD = (120-y)m
A C

600 300
B D
y P 120-y
120m

In ∆ ABP

tan 600= AB  x  x  y 3.......(i)

BP y

In ∆ CDP

30
 tan 300= CD  x
 x 3  120  y.......(ii )
DP 120  y

Combing equations (i) and (ii), we get

y 3 3  120  y

 3y = 120-y  y=30m
So, from equation (i), x  y 3  30 3  52 m
7. An aeroplane when 3,000m high passes vertically
above another at an instant when the angles of
elevation at the same observing point are 600 and
450 respectively. How many metres lower is one
than the other?
Sol. Let A and B be two aeroplanes, A at a height of
3,000m from C then angle ADC= 600 and BDC=450
Let DC = x m A
In ∆ ACD

tan 600 =
AC 3,000

CD x
B
3,000
3000 m

x  ......(i)
3

Again, in ∆ BCD
3,000  y
tan 450 
BC 0
 1 60
45
0
CD x C D

31
  x = 3000-y .....(ii)
Combing (i) and (ii) we get
3,000
 3,000  y
3
 1  3,000  0.732
 y  3,0001     1268m
 3 1.732

8. The length of a sting between a kite and a point on

the ground is 102m. If the sting makes an angle 
15
with the level ground such that tan   , how high
8
A
is the kite?


C
B
Sol. C is the point on the ground and the length of the
15 15
string CA = 102m and tan   , so, sin  
8 17

In ∆ ABC
AB 15 15
Sin    AB  AC   102   90m
AC 17 17

32
9. The shadow of a vertical pole is 3 of its height.
Find the angle of elevation. A

C B

Sol. Let the height of the vertical pole AB be h m.

So, the length of the shadow BC  h 3 m and angle
ACB =
In ∆ ABC
AB h 1
tan  
BC h 3 3

tan tan 300=300

10. The angles of depression of two ships from the top
of a lighthouse are 450 and 300. If the ships are
100m apart, find the height of the lighthouse.
Sol. Let AB, the height of the lighthouse = x m
Since MN  PQ  angle MAP = angle APB = 300
and angle NAQ = angle AQB = 450

33
 Let the length between P and B be y m.
So, the length between B and Q is (120-y)m.
A
In ∆ ABP M
30
0 0
45
N

tan 300=
AB 1 x
 
BP 3 y
x

 y  x 3....( i)

Again, in ∆ ABQ P
300
0
45
Q
y B 120-y

tan 450 
AB x 120m
1
BQ 120  y

 x=120-y .....(ii)
Combing equations (i) and (ii), we get
120
x  120  x 3 or, x (1  3 )  120 x   44m
1 3

11. From the top of a cliff 200m high the angles of

depression of two boats which are due south of
observer are 600 and 300. Find the distance
between the two boats.

34
 A
M 0
N
0
30 60

0 0
30 60
P Q
Y B 120-y

Sol. Let AB, the height of a cliff = 200m

In ∆ ABP

tan 300 
AB 1 200
 
BP 3 BP

 BP = 200 3 m ..... (i)

Again, in ABQ

tan 600  AB  3  200

BQ BQ
200
 BQ  m.......( ii )
3

distance between the two boats = PB+BQ

200
 200 3   460m
3

35
12. A tower is 200 3 m high. Find the angle of elevation
of its top from a point 200m away from its roots.
Sol. Let  be the angle of elevation

And PQ the length of tower  200 3 m

P
In ∆ PQR
PQ 200 3
   3
tan QR 200 200 3

tan = tan600=600
Q R
200
m
13. A vertical tower stands on a horizontal plane and is
surmounted by a vertical flagstaff of height h. At a
point on the plane, the angles of elevation of the
bottom of the flagstaff is  and that of the top of
the flagstaff is . Find the height of the tower.
P

 
R S

36
Sol. Let QR, the height of tower = H
And PQ, the height of flagstaff = h
In ∆ QRS
QR H
tan  
RS RS
H
 RS  .....( i)
tan 

Again, in ∆ PRS
PQ  QR (h  H) tan 
tan =  .......[from(i)]
RS H

or, H tan  = h tan  + H tan 

h tan 
H
tan   tan 

14. From the top and bottom of a building of height h,

the angles of elevation of the top of a tower are 
and  respectively. Find the height of the tower.
R


P M

h H

 S
Q

37
Sol. Let PQ, the height of building = h
And RS, the height of tower = H
RM H  h
tan   
In ∆ RMP PM PM
Again, in ∆ RSQ
Hh
 PM  ......(i)
tan 

RS H tan 
tan    [from(i)]
SQ Hh
h tan 
After solving, we get, H 
tan   tan 

38