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(a) The angle of depression of a boat from the mid-point of a vertical cliff is ...

(a) The angle of depression of a boat from the mid-point of a vertical cliff is 35°. If the boat is 120m from the foot of the cliff, calculate the height of the cliff.
(b) Towns P and Q are x km apart. Two motorists set out at the same time from P to Q at steady speeds of 60 km/h and 80 km/h. The faster motorist got to Q 30 minutes earlier than the other. Find the value of x.
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    Correct Answer: Option
    Explanation:
    (a)



    \(\frac{FM}{FB} = \tan 35\)
    \(\therefore \frac{FM}{120} = \tan 35\)
    \(FM = 120 \tan 35 \)
    = \(120 \times 0.7002\)
    = \(84.024 m\)
    Therefore, the height of the cliff = \(2 \times 84.024 = 168.048m\)
    (b) Distance between P and Q = x km
    Speed for 1st motorist = 60 km/h
    \(\therefore \text{1st motorist's time} = \frac{x}{60} hrs\)
    Speed for 2nd motorist = 80 km/h
    \(\therefore \text{2nd motorist's time} = \frac{x}{80} hrs\)
    \(\frac{x}{60} - \frac{x}{80} = \frac{30}{60}\)
    \(\frac{4x - 3x}{240} = \frac{1}{2}\)
    \(\frac{x}{240} = \frac{1}{2} \implies 2x = 240\)
    \(x = 120 km\).

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