Chap 9 : Some Applications of Trigonometry www.rava.org.

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File Revision Date : 10 July 2019

CBSE Objective Questions Exam 2019-2020
CLASS : 10th
SUB : Maths
CHAPTER 9
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Some Applications of Trigonometry

1. OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS Let BC be the tree of height h meter.

Let AB be the shadow of tree.

1. A vertical pole consists of two parts, the lower part

being one third of the whole. At a point in the
horizontal plane through the base of the pole and
distance 20 meters from it, the upper part of the pole
subtends an angle whose tangent is 1 . The possible
2
heights of the pole are
(a) 20 m and 20 3 m (b) 20 m and 60 m
(c) 16 m and 48 m (d) None of these
Ans : (b) 20 m and 60 m
Let AB be the vertical pole of height. H .
H cot a = d In TABC ,
3
CB = 90c
and H cot b = d
BC = tan 45c
or H = tan a BA
3d
BC = AB = 15 m
and H = tan b
d 4. In the adjoining figure, the length of BC is
2. If the angle of depression of an object from a 75 m
high tower is 30c, then the distance of the object from
the tower is
(a) 25 3 m (b) 50 3 m
(c) 75 3 m (d) 150 m
Ans : (c) 75 3 m

(a) 2 3 cm (b) 3 3 cm
(c) 4 3 cm (d) 3 cm
Ans : (d) 3 cm
In TABC ,
sin 30c = BC
AC
1 = BC
2 6
tan 30c = AB
OB
BC = 3 cm
1 = 75
3 OB 5. If the height and length of the shadow of a man are
the same, then the angle of elevation of the sun is,
OB = 75 3 m
(a) 45c (b) 60c
3. The height of a tree, if it casts a shadow 15 m long on (c) 90c (d) 120c
the level of ground, when the angle of elevation of the
Ans : (a) 45c
sun is 45c, is
Let AB be the height of a man and BC be the shadow
(a) 10 m (b) 14 m
of a man.
(c) 8 m (d) 15 m
Ans : (d) 15 m

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(c) 60c (d) 45c

Ans : (c) 60c
+XCA = +CAB = 60c
Hence, angle of depression = 60c

AB = BC
In TABC ,
tan q = AB
BC
AB = tan q
AB
tan q = 1 8. A tree is broken by the wind. The top struck the
q = 45c ground at an angle of 30c and at distance of 10 m from
its root. The whole height of the tree is ( 3 = 1.732)
6. The ratio of the length of a rod and its shadow is (a) 10 3 m (b) 3 10 m
1 : 3 then the angle of elevation of the sun is
(c) 20 3 m (d) 3 20 m
(a) 90c (b) 45c
(c) 30c (d) 75c Ans : (a) 10 3 m
Let AB be the tree of height x meter.
Ans : (c) 30c Let AC be the broken part of tree.
Let AB be the rod of length h meter.
Let BC be its shadow of length 3 h meter.

Let angle of elevation of the sun be ‘q ’. AC = CD

In TABC ,
and +CDB = 30c
h = tan q
3h and BD = 10 m

tan q = 1 In TCDB , tan 30c = CB = CB

DB 10
3
q = 30c 1 = CB
3 10
7. In the given figure, the positions of the observer and
CB = 10
the object are mentioned, the angle of depression is 3
Also, cos 30c = DB = 10
DC DC

DC = 20 = AC
3
Height of tree = AC + CB
= 20 + 10 = 30
3 3 3
= 10 3 m

9. A circle artist is climbing a 20 m long rope, which is

tightly stretched and tied from the top of a vertical
pole to the ground, then the height of pole, if the
(a) 30c (b) 90c

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angle made by the rope with the ground level is 30c, is sin q = 15
(a) 5 m (b) 10 m 17
(c) 15 m (d) 20 m In 3 ABC , sin q = BC
AB
Ans : (b) 10 m
Let AB be the vertical pole and CA be the 20 m long 15 = BC
17 85
rope such that its one end A is tied from the top of
the vertical pole AB and the other end C is tied to a BC = 75 m
point C on the ground. Height of kite = 75 m

11. The angle of elevation of the top of a tower at point

on the ground is 30c. If on walking 20 meters toward
the tower, the angle of elevation become 60c, then the
height of the tower is
(a) 10 meter (b) 10 metre
3
(c) 10 3 metre (d) None of these
Ans : (c) 10 3 metre

In 3 ABC , we have
sin 30c = AB
AC
1 = AB
2 AC
AB = 10 m
Hence, the height of the pole is 10 m.

10. The length of a string between a kite and a point

on the ground is 85 m. If the string makes an angle
OA = h cot 60c
q with level ground such that tan q = 15 , then the
8 OB = h cot 30c
height of kite is
(a) 75 m (b) 78.05 m OB - OA = 20 = h (cot 30c - cot 60c)
(c) 226 m (d) None of these 20
h =
1
Ans : (a) 75 m c 3- 3m
Given, Length of the string of the kite,
AB = 85 m = 20 3 = 10 3
2
and tan q = 15
8

cot q = 8
15

cosec2 q - 1 = 64
225

cosec2 q = 1 + 64 = 289
225 225

H -H
1
tan (b - a) = = d 3d
2 H 2
1+ 2
3d
2
H
1+ 2 = 4 H
3d 3d
H 2 - 4dH + 3d 2 = 0
cosec q = 289 = 17 H 2 - 80H + 3 (400) = 0
225 15

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H = 20 or 60 m Then, AB = 20.5 m = DC

12. The top of two poles of height 20 m and 14 m are

and EC = BE - BC = BE - AD
connected by a wire. If the wire makes an angle of 30c = 22 - 1.5 = 20.5 m [BC = AD ]
with the horizontal, then the length of the wire is Let q be the angle of elevation make by observer’s eye
(a) 12 m (b) 10 m to the top of the tower i.e. +DCE ,
(c) 8 m (d) 6 m tan q = P = CE = 20.5
B DC 20.5
Ans : (a) 12 m
tan q = 1
Here, CD = 20 m [height of big pole]
tan q = tan 45c
AB = 14 m [height of small pole]
q = 45c

14. A tree 6 m tall cast a 4 m long shadow. At the same

time, a flag pole cast a shadow 50 m long. How long
is the flag pole?
(a) 75 m (b) 100 m
(c) 150 m (d) 50 m
Ans : (a) 75 m
Let AB be height of tree and BC its shadow.

DE = CD - CE
DE = CD - AB [AB = CE ]
DE = 20 - 14 = 6 m Again, let PQ be height of pole and QR be its shadow.
At the same time, the angle of elevation of tree and
In 3 BDE , sin 30c = DE poles are equal
BD
3 ABC + PQR
1 = 6
2 BD AB = PQ
BC QR
BD = 12 m
6 = PQ
Length of wire = 12 m 4 50

13. An observer, 1.5 m tall is 20.5 away from a tower 22 m

high, then the angle of elevation of the top of the
tower from the eye of observer is
(a) 30c (b) 45c
(c) 60c (d) 90c
Ans : (b) 45c
Let BE = 22 m be the height of the tower and
AD = 1.5 m be the height of the observer. The point
D be the observer’s eye. Draw DC < AB

PQ = 50 # 6 = 75 m
4

15. From the top of a 7m high building the angle of

elevation of the top of a cable tower is 60c and the
angle of depression of its foot is 45c, then the height
of the tower is
(a) 14.124 m (b) 17.124 m
(c) 19.124 m (d) 15.124 m
Ans : (c) 19.124 m

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Let AB be the building and CD be the tower.

Draw BE = CD
Then, CE = AB = 7 m
+EBD = 60c
and +ACB = +CBE = 45c

In 3 ABD ,
tan ^90c - qh = AB
AD

cot q = h ...(2)
b
From Eqs. (1) and (2), we have
tan q # cot q = h # h
a b
2
1 =h
ab
h = ab
From 3 ACB , we have
17. From a point on the ground, the angles of elevation of
cot 45c = AC
AB the bottom and the top of a transmission tower fixed
AC = 1 at the top of a 20 m high building are 45c and 60c
7 respectively, then the height of the tower is
(a) 14.64 m (b) 28.64 m
AC = 7 m
(c) 38.64 m (d) 19.64 m
BE = AC = 7 m
From 3 EBD , we have Ans : (a) 14.64 m
Let the height of the building be BC , BC = 20 m and
tan 60c = DE height of the tower be CD Let the point A be at a
BE
distance y m from the foot of the building.
DE = 3 Now, in 3 ABC ,
7
BC = tan 45c = 1
DE = 7 3 m AB
Height of the tower = ^7 + 7 3 h = 7 ^ 3 + 1h
= 7 ^1.732 + 1h = 7 # 2.732
= 19.124 m

16. The angles of elevation of the top of a tower from the

points P and Q at distance of a and b respectively
from the base and in the same straight line with it, are
complementary. The height of the tower is
(a) ab (b) ab
(c) a (d) b
b a

Ans : (b) ab
Let AB be the tower. Let C and D be two points at
distance a and b respectively from the base of the
tower. 20 = 1
y
In 3 ABC ,
y = 20 m
tan q = AB
AC i.e. AB = 20 m
Now, in 3 ABC ,
tan q = h ...(1)
a BD = tan 60c = 3
AB

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BD = 3 slides at distance q down the wall and then the ladder

AB sin b - cos a
makes an angle b to the horizontal, then
20 + x = sin a - sin b
3 is equal to
20 (a) p/q (b) p/q
20 + x = 20 3 (c) pq (d) 1/pq
x = 20 3 - 20 Ans : (b) p/q
= 20 # 0.732 = 14.64 m Let BC = h m be the height of the wall and AC = l m
be the length of the ladder, which rests against a
18. A tower stands at the centre of a circular park. If A vertical wall at an +BAC = a .
and B are two points on the boundary of the park, When the ladder pulled away from the
such that AB = a m subtends an angle of 60c at the wall, its new position will be DE = l m and
foot of the tower and the angle of elevation of the top AD = p m and +BDE = b .
of the tower from A or B is 30c. Find, then the height
of the tower is
(a) 3 a m (b) a/ 3 m
(c) 3 m (d) None of these
a
Ans : (b) a/ 3 m
Let OC = h m be the height of the tower at the centre
of the circular park.

Let, AB = x
and EC = q.
In right angled 3 ABC ,
sin a = P = BC = h
H AC l
Given, AB = a
and cos a = B = AB = x
and +AOB = 60c H AC l
Also, OA = OB [same radius of a circle] In right angled 3 EBD ,
h-q
+OAB = +OBA ...(1) sin b = BE = BC - EC =
DE DE l
We know that, sum of all angles in a triangle is 180c.
p+x
+AOB + +OAB + +OBA = 180c and cos b = BD = AB + DA =
DE DE l
60c + +OAB + +OAB = 180c [from Eq. (1)] p+x x
cos b - cos a -
60c + 2+OAB = 180c Now, = l l = p+x-x = p
sin a - sin b h - -q
h h - ^h - q h q
2+OAB = 120c l l
+OAB = 60c
20. A kite is flying at a height of 80 m above the ground.
+OAB = +OBA The string attached to the kite is temporarily tied to a
= 60c [from Eq. (1)] point on the ground. The inclination of the string with
Hence, 3 OAB is an equilateral triangle. ground is 60c, then the length of the string is
OA = AB = OB = a (a) 62.37 m (b) 92.37 m
In right angled 3 COB , (c) 52.57 m (d) 72.57 m

tan 30c = OC Ans : (b) 92.37 m

OB Let C be the position of the kite and AC be the
1 =h 1 length of the string which makes an angle of 60c with
a <tan 30c = F the ground. The height of the kite from the ground is
3 3
BC = 80 m .
h = a m In right angled 3 ABC ,
3
Hence, height of the tower is a/ 3 m . sin 60c = P = BC
H AC
19. A ladder rests against a vertical wall at an inclination 3 = 80
a to the horizontal. If its foot is pulled away from 2 AC
the wall through a distance p so that its upper end

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2. FILL IN THE BLANK

1. The .......... of an object viewed, is the angle formed by

the line of sight with the horizontal when it is above
the horizontal level, i.e., the case when we raise our
head to look at the object.
Ans : angle of elevation

2. The .......... of an object viewed, is the angle formed by

the line of sight with the horizontal when it is below
AC = 80 # 2 # 3
3 3 the horizontal level, i.e., the case when we lower our
head to look at the object.
= 160 3 = 92.37 m Ans : angle of depression
3
Hence, the length of the string is 92.37 m.
3. In the adjoining figure, the positions of observer and
21. A spherical balloon of radius r substends an angle q object are marked. The angle of depression is ..........
at the eye of the observer. If the angle of elevation of
its centre is f , then the height of the centre of balloon
is
(a) r sin f/2 cos q (b) r sin f cosec q
(c) r sin f cosec q/2 (d) None of these
Ans : (c) r sin f cosec q/2
Let A be the eye of the observer and O be the centre
of the balloon.
Ans : 30c
Given, OP = r
+PAQ = q 4. The .......... is the line drawn from the eye of an observer
and +OAB = f to the point in the object viewed by the observer.
Let height of the centre of balloon be OB = h Ans : line of sight

5. .......... are used to find height or length of an object or

distance between two distant objects.
Ans : Trigonometric ratios

6. The top of a building from a fixed point is observed

at an angle of elevation 60c and the distance from the
foot of the building to the point is 100 m. then the
height of the building is ..........
Ans : 100 3

In right angled 3 OAP ,

3. TRUE/FALSE
+OPA = 90c
[radius is perpendicular to the tangent] DIRECTION : (Q 1 to 4) Read the following statements and
write your answer as true or false.
sin q = P = OP = r ...(1)
2 H OA OA A straight highway leads to the foot of a tower of
and in right angled 3 OBA , height 50 m. From the top of the tower, the angles of
depression of two cars standing on the highway are
sin f = OB = h ...(2)
OA OA 30c and 60c. Now, based on the above information,
From Eqs. (1) and (2), we get mark the given statements as true or false.
h
sin f
= OA =h
f r r
sin OA
2
r sin f
h =
sin q
2
h = r sin f cosec q
2
Hence, the height of the centre of balloons is
r sin f cosec q
2
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1. Distance between the cars is 57.6 m. 12. If a man standing on a platform, 3 metres above the
Ans : True surface of a lake observes a cloud and its reflection
in the lake, then the angle of elevation of the cloud
2. First car is at a distance of 38.90 m from the tower. is equal to the angle of depression of its reflection
(Figure)
Ans : False

3. Second car is at a distance of 86.50 m from the tower.

Ans : True

4. Car at point C is at a distance of 200 m away from

the top of the tower.
Ans : False

5. When the length of the shadow of a pole is equal to

the height of the pole, then the angle of elevation of
source of light is 90c.
Ans : False

6. When we lower our head to look at the object, the

angle formed by the line of sight with horizontal is
known as angle of depression. Ans : False
Ans : True

4. MATCHING QUESTIONS
7. If two towers of height h1 and h2 , and h1 = tan 60c;
x
h2 = tan 30c respectively at the mid-point of the line
x DIRECTION : Each question contains statements given in
two columns which have to be matched. Statements (A, B, C,
joining their feet then, h1 : h2 = 3 : 1.
D) in column I have to be matched with statements (p, q, r, s)
Ans : True in column II.

8. The angle of elevation of the top of a tower is 30c in
Figure. If the height of the tower is doubled, then the
angle of elevation of its top will also be doubled.
1. From a window, h metres high above the ground,
of a house in a street, the angles of elevation and
depression of the top and bottom of another house
on the opposite side of the street are a and b .
respectively, then match the column.

Ans : False

9. If the height of a tower and the distance of the point

of observation from its foot, both are increased by
10% , then the angle of elevation of its top remains
unchanged.
Ans : True

10. The angle of elevation of the top of a building from

the top and bottom of a tree are x and y respectively, Column-I Column-II
If the height of the tree is h metre, then the height of
h cot x (A) DB (p) h (1 + tan a cot b)
the building is .
cot x - cot y (B) DE (q) h sin b
Ans : True (C) CE (r) h tan cot b

11. The angle for which sine and cosine have equal values (D) AD (s) h cot b
is 90c. Ans : (A) - s, (B) - r, (C) - p, (D) - q
Ans : False

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2. tan q = AB = 2 = 1
BD 10 5
Column-I Column-II
(A) (p) 60c 5. ASSERTION AND REASON
DIRECTION : In the following questions, a statement of
assertion (A) is followed by a statement of reason (R). Mark
the correct choice as:
(a) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and
reason (R) is the correct explanation of assertion
(A).
(b) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true but
reason (R) is not the correct explanation of
(B) (q) 10
assertion (A).
(c) Assertion (A) is true but reason (R) is false.
(d) Assertion (A) is false but reason (R) is true.

1. Assertion : In the figure, if BC = 20 m , then height

AB is 11.56 m.

(C) (r) 1
5

perpendicular
Reason : tan q = AB = where q is the
BC base
angle +ACB .
Ans : (a) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true
(D) (s) 3 and reason (R) is the correct explanation of
assertion (A).
Both the assertion and reason are correct, reason is
the correct explanation of the assertion.
tan 30c = AB = AB
BC 20

AB = 1 # 20 = 20 = 11.56 m
3 1.73

2. Assertion : If the length of shadow of a vertical pole is

equal to its height, then the angle of elevation of the
sun is 45c.
Ans : (A) - q, (B) - s, (C) - p, (D) - r Reason : According to pythagoras theorem, h2 = l 2 + b2
, where h = hypotenuse, l = length and b = base
(A) tan 45c = AB Ans : (b) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true
BC
but reason (R) is not the correct explanation of
BC = 10 assertion (A).
(B) tan 60c = AB = AB Both Assertion and Reason are correct, but Reason is
BC 3 not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
AB = 3# 3 =3 WWW.CBSE.ONLINE

(C) cos q = 20 = 1 = cos 60c

40 2
q = 60c
(D) In TABC ,
tan 45c = AB
BC
AB = 2

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