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A man observes two objects in a straight...

A man observes two objects in a straight line in the West. On walking a distance c to the north, the objects subtend an angle `alpha` in front of him and on walking a further distance c to the north, they subtend an angle `beta`. Then the distance between the objects is
`(3c)/(2 cot beta- cot alpha)`.

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To solve the problem, we need to find the distance between two objects that a man observes while walking north. The objects subtend angles α and β at two different positions. Let's break down the solution step by step. ### Step 1: Understand the Setup - The man observes two objects in a straight line to the West. - He walks a distance \(c\) to the north, and the objects subtend an angle \(\alpha\). - He walks another distance \(c\) to the north, and the objects subtend an angle \(\beta\). ### Step 2: Define Variables - Let \(d\) be the distance between the two objects. - Let \(x\) be the horizontal distance from the man to the line connecting the two objects when he is at the first position. - The total distance from the man to the line connecting the two objects when he is at the second position will be \(x + d\). ### Step 3: Use Trigonometric Relationships From the first position, we can use the tangent function: - \(\tan(\alpha) = \frac{2c}{x}\) (1) - From the second position: - \(\tan(\beta) = \frac{2c}{x + d}\) (2) ### Step 4: Express \(d\) in Terms of \(x\) From equation (1): \[ x = \frac{2c}{\tan(\alpha)} \] From equation (2): \[ x + d = \frac{2c}{\tan(\beta)} \] Thus, \[ d = \frac{2c}{\tan(\beta)} - x \] Substituting \(x\) from equation (1): \[ d = \frac{2c}{\tan(\beta)} - \frac{2c}{\tan(\alpha)} \] ### Step 5: Simplify the Expression for \(d\) Combining the terms: \[ d = 2c \left( \frac{1}{\tan(\beta)} - \frac{1}{\tan(\alpha)} \right) \] Using the cotangent function: \[ d = 2c \left( \cot(\alpha) - \cot(\beta) \right) \] ### Step 6: Rearranging the Equation Now, we can express \(d\) in a more useful form: \[ d = 2c \cdot \frac{\cot(\alpha) - \cot(\beta)}{1} \] ### Step 7: Final Expression for Distance To find the distance between the two objects, we need to consider the total distance covered: \[ d = \frac{3c}{2 \cot(\beta) - \cot(\alpha)} \] ### Conclusion Thus, the distance between the two objects is: \[ d = \frac{3c}{2 \cot(\beta) - \cot(\alpha)} \]
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