Let us take an example:

Ex: A tree breaks due to storm and the broken part bends so that the top of the tree touches the ground making an angle 30

degree with it. The distance between the foot of the tree to the point where the top touches the ground is 8 m. Find height of

the tree.

Solution:

Let AD is the broken part of the tree.

So total length of the tree = AB + AD

Again AD = AC

So total length of the tree = AB + AC

Now in triangle ABC,

cos 30 = BC/AC

=> √3/2 = 8/AC

=> AC = 16/√3

Again tan 30 = AB/BC

 => 1/√3 = AB/8

=> AB = 8/√3

So, the height of tree = AB + AC

                                   = 8/√3 + 16/√3

                                   = 24/√3 m