A TV tower stands vertically on a bank of a canal. From a point on the other bank directly opposite the tower the angle of elevation of the top of the tower is \[60^\circ \]. From another point $20\;\;{\text{m}}$ away from this point on the line joining this point to the foot of the tower, the angle of elevation of the top of the tower is \[30^\circ \]. Find the height of the tower and the width of the canal.
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Given: On the edge of a canal, a TV tower stands vertically. The angle of elevation of the top of the tower from a location on the other bank exactly opposite the tower is \[60^\circ \]. The angle of elevation of the top of the tower is \[30^\circ \] measured from another point $20\;\;{\text{m}}$ distant on the line connecting this point to the foot of the tower.
To find: Calculate the tower's height and the canal's width.
In $\Delta ABC$
$\dfrac{{{\text{AB}}}}{{{\text{BC}}}} = \tan {60^\circ }$
$\dfrac{{{\text{AB}}}}{{{\text{BC}}}} = \sqrt 3 $
${\text{BC}} = \dfrac{{{\text{AB}}}}{{\sqrt 3 }}$
In $\vartriangle {\text{ABD}}$,
$\dfrac{{{\text{AB}}}}{{{\text{BD}}}} = \tan 30$
$\dfrac{{{\text{AB}}}}{{{\text{BC}} + {\text{CD}}}} = \dfrac{1}{{\sqrt 3 }}$
$\dfrac{{{\text{AB}}}}{{\dfrac{{{\text{AB}}}}{{\sqrt 3 }} + 20}} = \dfrac{1}{{\sqrt 3 }}$
$\dfrac{{{\text{AB}}\sqrt 3 }}{{{\text{AB}} + 20\sqrt 3 }} = \dfrac{1}{{\sqrt 3 }}$
$3{\text{AB}} = {\text{AB}} + 20\sqrt 3 $
$2{\text{AB}} = 20\sqrt 3 $
${\text{AB}} = 10\sqrt 3 \;{\text{m}}$
${\text{BC}} = \dfrac{{{\text{AB}}}}{{\sqrt 3 }} = \left( {\dfrac{{10\sqrt 3 }}{{\sqrt 3 }}} \right){\text{m}} = 10\;{\text{m}}$
Therefore, the height of the tower is $10\sqrt 3 \;\;{\text{m}}$ and the width of the canal is $10\;\;{\text{m}}$.