Height And Distance - Aptitude MCQ Questions and Solutions with Explanations

Answer: Option A

Let CB be the pole and point D divides it such that BD : DC = 1 : 9
Given that AB = 15 m
Let the the two parts subtend equal angles at point A such that ∠ CAD = ∠ BAD = $$\theta $$
From "Angle Bisector Theorem", we have
$$\frac{{BD}}{{DC}} = \frac{{AB}}{{AC}}$$
$$ \Rightarrow \frac{1}{9} = \frac{{15}}{{AC}}$$     [∵ BD : DC = 1 : 9 and AB = 15(given)]
$$ \Rightarrow AC = 15 \times 9\,{\text{m}}\,......\left( {eq:1} \right)$$
$${\text{From}}\,{\text{the}}\,{\text{right}}\,\Delta ABC,$$
$$CB = \sqrt {A{C^2} - A{B^2}} $$     (∵ Pythagorean theorem)
$$ = \sqrt {{{\left( {15 \times 9} \right)}^2} - {{15}^2}} $$     [∵AC=15 × 9(eq : 1) and AB=15 m(given)]
$$\eqalign{ & = \sqrt {{{15}^2} \times {9^2} - {{15}^2}} \cr & = \sqrt {{{15}^2}\left( {{9^2} - 1} \right)} \cr & = \sqrt {{{15}^2} \times 80} \cr & = \sqrt {{{15}^2} \times 16 \times 5} \cr & = 15 \times 4 \times \sqrt 5 \cr & = 60\sqrt 5 \,{\text{m}} \cr} $$

Answer: Option A

Consider the diagram shown above.
Let AB be the tower. Let C and D be the positions of the boat
Then, ∠ ACB = 45°, ∠ ADC = 30°, BC = 100 m
$$\eqalign{ & \tan {45^ \circ } = \frac{{AB}}{{BC}} \cr & \Rightarrow 1 = \frac{{AB}}{{100}} \cr & \Rightarrow AB = 100\,......\left( {eq:1} \right) \cr} $$
$$\tan {30^ \circ } = \frac{{AB}}{{BD}}$$
$$ \Rightarrow \frac{1}{{\sqrt 3 }} = \frac{{100}}{{BD}}$$     (∵ Substituted the value of AB from equation 1)
$$ \Rightarrow BD = 100\sqrt 3 $$
$$\eqalign{ & CD = \left( {BD - BC} \right) \cr & \,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, = \left( {100\sqrt 3 - 100} \right) \cr & \,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, = 100\left( {\sqrt 3 - 1} \right) \cr} $$
It is given that the distance CD is covered in 10 seconds.
i.e., the distance $$100\left( {\sqrt 3 - 1} \right)$$     is covered in 10 seconds.
$$\eqalign{ & {\text{Required}}\,{\text{speed}} \cr & = \frac{{{\text{Distance}}}}{{{\text{Time}}}} \cr & = \frac{{100\left( {\sqrt 3 - 1} \right)}}{{10}} \cr & = 10\left( {1.73 - 1} \right) \cr & = 7.3\,{\text{meter/seconds}} \cr & = 7.3 \times \frac{{18}}{5}\,{\text{km/hr}} \cr & = 26.28\,{\text{km/hr}} \cr} $$

Answer: Option A

Let C and D be the position of the aeroplanes.
Given that CB = 900 m, ∠ CAB = 60°, ∠ DAB = 45°
$$\eqalign{ & {\text{From}}\,{\text{the}}\,{\text{right}}\,\Delta ABC, \cr & \tan {60^ \circ } = \frac{{CB}}{{AB}} \cr & \sqrt 3 = \frac{{900}}{{AB}} \cr & AB = \frac{{900}}{{\sqrt 3 }} \cr & \,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, = \frac{{900 \times \sqrt 3 }}{{\sqrt 3 \times \sqrt 3 }} \cr & \,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, = \frac{{900\sqrt 3 }}{3} \cr & \,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, = 300\sqrt 3 \cr & {\text{From}}\,{\text{the}}\,{\text{right}}\,\Delta ABD, \cr & \tan {45^ \circ } = \frac{{DB}}{{AB}} \cr & 1 = \frac{{DB}}{{AB}} \cr & DB = AB = 300\sqrt 3 \cr & \cr & {\text{Required}}\,{\text{height}} \cr & = CD \cr & = \left( {CB - DB} \right) \cr & = \left( {900 - 300\sqrt 3 } \right) \cr & = \left( {900 - 300 \times 1.73} \right) \cr & = \left( {900 - 519} \right) \cr & = 381\,{\text{m}} \cr} $$

Answer: Option C

Consider the diagram shown above where QR represents the tree and PQ represents its shadow
$$\eqalign{ & {\text{We}}\,{\text{have}},\,QR = PQ \cr & {\text{Let}}\,\angle QPR = \theta \cr} $$
$$\tan \theta = \frac{{QR}}{{PQ}} = 1$$     (since QR = PQ)
$$ \Rightarrow \theta = {45^ \circ }$$
i.e., required angle of elevation = 45°

Answer: Option A

Let BD be the tower and A and C be the positions of the persons.
Given that BD = 50 m, ∠ BAD = 30°, ∠ BCD = 60°
$$\eqalign{ & {\text{From}}\,{\text{the}}\,{\text{right}}\,\Delta \,ABD, \cr & \tan {30^ \circ } = \frac{{BD}}{{BA}} \cr & \Rightarrow \frac{1}{{\sqrt 3 }} = \frac{{50}}{{BA}} \cr & \Rightarrow BA = 50\sqrt 3 \cr & {\text{From}}\,{\text{the}}\,{\text{right}}\,\Delta CBD, \cr & \tan {60^ \circ } = \frac{{BD}}{{BC}} \cr & \Rightarrow \sqrt 3 = \frac{{50}}{{BC}} \cr & \Rightarrow BC = \frac{{50}}{{\sqrt 3 }} \cr & \,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, = \frac{{50 \times \sqrt 3 }}{{\sqrt 3 \times \sqrt 3 }} \cr & \,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, = \frac{{50\sqrt 3 }}{3} \cr} $$
Distance between the two persons
$$\eqalign{ & = AC = BA + BC \cr & = 50\sqrt 3 + \frac{{50\sqrt 3 }}{3} \cr & = \sqrt 3 \left( {50 + \frac{{50}}{3}} \right) \cr & = \frac{{200\sqrt 3 }}{3}\,{\text{m}} \cr} $$
i.e., the distance travelled by the car in 10 seconds = $$\frac{{200\sqrt 3 }}{3}\,{\text{m}}$$
$$\eqalign{ & {\text{Speed}}\,{\text{of the car}} = \frac{{{\text{Distance}}}}{{{\text{Time}}}} \cr & = \frac{{\left( {\frac{{200\sqrt 3 }}{3}} \right)}}{{10}} = \frac{{200\sqrt 3 }}{3}\,{\text{m/s}} \cr & = \frac{{200\sqrt 3 }}{3} \times \frac{{18}}{5}\,{\text{km/hr}} \cr & = {\text{24}}\sqrt 3 \,{\text{km/hr}} \cr} $$