A man standing on a ship approaching the port towards the lighthouse is observing the top of the lighthouse. In 10 minutes, the angle of elevation of the top of the lighthouse changes from α to β. Then:

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KollegeApply · Accepted Answer

$\alpha$ < $\beta$ Explanation: As the ship approaches the lighthouse the horizontal distance to the lighthouse decreases while the lighthouse height stays the same. Since tan (angle) = height / horizontal distance, the tangent and therefore the angle increases when distance decreases, so the later angle $\beta$ is larger than the earlier angle $\alpha$.

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