Comprehension

Consider the following for the two (02) items that follow:
The top (M) of a tower is observed from three points P, Q and R lying in a horizontal straight line which passes directly along the foot (N) of the tower. The angles of elevations of M from P, Q and R are 30°, 45° and 60° respectively. Let PQ = a and QR = b

What is PN equal to?

This question was previously asked in
NDA-I (Mathematics) Official Paper (Held On: 13 Apr, 2025)
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  1. \( \left(\frac{3-\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)a\)
  2. \( \left(\frac{3+\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)a\)
  3. \( \left(\frac{3-\sqrt{3}}{4}\right)a\)
  4. \( \left(\frac{3+\sqrt{3}}{4}\right)a\)

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : \( \left(\frac{3+\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)a\)
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Detailed Solution

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Calculation:

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The angles of elevation are:

 

From point P,\(\theta = 30^\circ \); from point Q, \(\theta = 45^\circ \); and from point R, \(\theta = 60^\circ \)

Using the tangent formula for each angle:

\( \tan(60^\circ) = \frac{h}{x} \implies h = \sqrt{3}x \)

\( \tan(45^\circ) = \frac{h}{QN} \implies h = QN\)

\( \tan(30^\circ) = \frac{h}{PN} \implies PN = h{\sqrt{3}} \)

from the figure PN = h + a 

\(h+a = h\sqrt3\)

\(h = \frac{a}{\sqrt3 -1} \implies \frac{a \sqrt3 +1}{2}\)

\((\frac{3 + \sqrt3}{2}) a\)

Hence, the correct answer is Option 2.

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