From a point $h$ metres above the water level of a lake,the angle of elevation of the top of a palace is found to be $\alpha$ and the angle of depression of the image of the top of the palace observed in the lake is found to be $\beta$. Find the height of the palace.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Let the height of the palace be $H$ metres. Let the point of observation be $P$,which is $h$ metres above the water level. Let $O$ be the point on the water level directly below $P$. Let the top of the palace be $T$. The height of $T$ above the water level is $H$. The depth of the image $T'$ of the palace in the lake is $H$ below the water level.
In the right-angled triangle formed by the line of sight to the top,the horizontal distance $x$ satisfies $\tan \alpha = \frac{H-h}{x}$,so $x = \frac{H-h}{\tan \alpha} = (H-h) \cot \alpha$.
In the right-angled triangle formed by the line of sight to the image,the horizontal distance $x$ satisfies $\tan \beta = \frac{H+h}{x}$,so $x = \frac{H+h}{\tan \beta} = (H+h) \cot \beta$.
Equating the two expressions for $x$: $(H-h) \cot \alpha = (H+h) \cot \beta$.
$H \cot \alpha - h \cot \alpha = H \cot \beta + h \cot \beta$.
$H(\cot \alpha - \cot \beta) = h(\cot \alpha + \cot \beta)$.
$H = \frac{h(\cot \alpha + \cot \beta)}{\cot \alpha - \cot \beta} \text{ metres}$.

Explore More

Similar Questions

$A$ boat is sailing with constant speed towards a man sitting on a tree on the river bank. At some moment,the man measures the angle of depression of the boat as $30^{\circ}$. $10$ minutes later,this angle is measured as $60^{\circ}$. How much longer will the boat now take to reach the bank? (in $min$)

Difficult
View Solution

The angle of elevation of the top of a tower from two points at distances $s$ and $t$ from its foot are complementary. Prove that the height of the tower is $\sqrt{s t}$.

Difficult
View Solution

Two trucks are parked in the same direction of a $300 \,m$ high tower. The angles of depression of these trucks from the top of the tower are found to be $45^{\circ}$ and $60^{\circ}$. Find the distance between these two trucks. (in $,m$)

In right-angled $\Delta ABC$,$m\angle B = 90^\circ$. If $AC = 20$ and $m\angle C = 30^\circ$,then $BC = \ldots$

Watching from the top of an $80 \, m$ high hill,the angle of elevation of the top of a tower is $30^\circ$ and the angle of depression of the base of the tower is $45^\circ$. Find the height of the tower in $m$.

Difficult
View Solution

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo