From a plane 2000 meters above sea level, the pilot observes 2 ships in line due west?

From a plane 2000 meters above sea level, the pilot observes 2 ships in line due west, the angles of depression of the 2 ships are 60 degrees and 70 degrees. How far apart are the ships?From a plane 2000 meters above sea level, the pilot observes 2 ships in line due west?To solve this problem draw a diagram as follows -



Draw a vertical line AB, A being the plane, B being the point vertically below it on the surface of the sea. AB is 2000m



Draw a horizontal line BCD to the left, C being the nearer ship, D being the further one.



Draw lines DA and CA.



In triangle ABC, the angle at A is 20deg, and CB is 2000*tan 20 = 728m



In triangle ABD the angle at A is 30deg, and DB = 2000*tan 30 = 1155m



CD is 1155 - 728 = 427m This is the distance separating the ships