To find the cloud ceiling, one night an observer directed a spotlight vertically at the clouds. Using a theodolite placed 100 m from the spotlight and 1.5 m above the ground, he found the angle of elevation to be 60°. How high was the cloud ceiling? (Hint : See figure)

(Note: Cloud ceiling is the lowest altitude at which solid cloud is present. The cloud ceiling at airports must be sufficiently high for safe take offs and landings. At night the cloud ceiling can be determined by illuminating the base of the clouds by a spotlight pointing vertically upward.)
Given, Base = 100 m and height of cloud ceiling = ?
We know,
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⇒ 100 √3 = AB
⇒ AB = 100 √3
= 100 (1.732)
= 173.2
⇒ height of ceiling from ground = 173.2 + 1.5
= 174.7 m
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