ANSWER
22.2 m
EXPLANATION
Let us make a sketch of the problem.
From the diagram:
T = top of the tower
B = Ball
O = Base of the tower
Now, we have to find x, which is the distance from the ball to the base of the tower.
Since the angle of depression is 42°, it means that angle
To find x, we can apply Pythagoras Rule:
[tex]\begin{gathered} \tan (<\text{OTB) = }\frac{x}{20} \\ \Rightarrow\text{ x = 20 }\cdot\text{ tan(48)} \\ x\text{ = 20 }\cdot\text{ 1.11} \\ x\text{ = 22.2 m} \end{gathered}[/tex]The distance of the ball from the base of the tower is 22.2 m
