Question
Two stations due south of a leaning tower which leans towards the north are at distances a and b from its foot. If, α, β, are the elevations of the top of the tower from these stations,
prove that its inclination ө to the horizontal is given by cot
Solution
Let CE be the leaning tower. Let A and B be two given stations at distances a and b respectively from the foot of the tower.
Let CD = x and DE = h
In right triangle CDE, we have
In right triangle BDE, we have
In right triangle ADE, we have
Comparing (i) and (ii), we get
Comparing (i) and (iii), we get
Comparing (iv) and (v), we get
Hence, inclination ө to the horizontal is given by cot