From a point on a bridge across a river, the angles of depression of the banks on opposite sides of the river are 30∘30^\circ and 45∘45^\circ, respectively. If the bridge is at a height of 3 m from the banks, find the width of the river.

Answer: The width of the river is 3(3+1)3(\sqrt{3} + 1) meters.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Visualize the Problem and Define Variables

We first visualize the scenario. Let PP be the point on the bridge where the observation is made. Let DD be the point on the river bank directly below PP. Let AA and BB be points on the opposite banks. The problem states that the height of the bridge from the banks is 3 m3 \text{ m}, so PD=3 mPD = 3 \text{ m}. This forms two right-angled triangles, △PDA\triangle PDA and △PDB\triangle PDB.

Step 2: Identify Angles of Depression and Alternate Interior Angles

The angles of depression are given from point PP to the points AA and BB on the banks. Since the horizontal line through PP is parallel to the river banks, the angle of depression to point AA is equal to the alternate interior angle ∠PAD=30∘\angle PAD = 30^\circ. Similarly, the angle of depression to point BB is equal to the alternate interior angle ∠PBD=45∘\angle PBD = 45^\circ.

Step 3: Calculate Distance AD Using Trigonometry in △PDA\triangle PDA

In the right-angled triangle △PDA\triangle PDA, we know the opposite side PD=3 mPD = 3 \text{ m} and the angle ∠PAD=30∘\angle PAD = 30^\circ. We want to find the adjacent side ADAD. The tangent function relates these quantities: tan⁡(θ)=oppositeadjacent\tan(\theta) = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}}. Substituting the known values, we get tan⁡(30∘)=3AD\tan(30^\circ) = \frac{3}{AD}.

Step 4: Solve for AD

From the previous step, we have AD=3tan⁡(30∘)AD = \frac{3}{\tan(30^\circ)}. We know that tan⁡(30∘)=13\tan(30^\circ) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}. Substituting this value, we find that AD=33 mAD = 3\sqrt{3} \text{ m}.

Step 5: Calculate Distance BD Using Trigonometry in △PDB\triangle PDB

Now, consider the right-angled triangle △PDB\triangle PDB. We know the opposite side PD=3 mPD = 3 \text{ m} and the angle ∠PBD=45∘\angle PBD = 45^\circ. We want to find the adjacent side BDBD. Using the tangent function again, we have tan⁡(45∘)=3BD\tan(45^\circ) = \frac{3}{BD}.

Step 6: Solve for BD

From the equation BD=3tan⁡(45∘)BD = \frac{3}{\tan(45^\circ)}, and knowing that tan⁡(45∘)=1\tan(45^\circ) = 1, we can calculate BDBD. Thus, BD=3 mBD = 3 \text{ m}.

Step 7: Calculate the Width of the River

The width of the river is the sum of the distances ADAD and BDBD, since DD lies between AA and BB. Adding the values we calculated for ADAD and BDBD, we get the total width AB=33+3 mAB = 3\sqrt{3} + 3 \text{ m}. This can be factored as 3(3+1) m3(\sqrt{3} + 1) \text{ m}.

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