Question

proportions.
To measure the distance betweens points A and B, on two islands, a man takes the following measurements on one island: AC = 5 yds, DE = 6 yds, AE = 15 yds, how far apart are the islands?

Answer 1

If anyone can please check this, I did it two ways with two answers:
x/15 = 6/5
5x = 75
x = 15 yds (this was the first way)

5/6 = x/15
6x = 75
x = 12.5 yds ( second way) not sure if I'm lining up my ratios properly???)

Answer 2

are we to assume a flat planet?

Answer 3

looks like it in the book... an island with water spaced to another island.
its a right triangle from one island to the other... a line creates a right angle bisector at the end of the first island is the 5 yds

Answer 4

what is DE? is that a typo?

Answer 5

how can i make this look right?

Answer 6

6 yards is DE thats the right angle of the big triangle. on the first island as well
... No it is a right triangle

Answer 7

.D
.C
6
5 .B
.E .A

Line EA is 15
sorry for the cheap drawing draw a line to the dots

Answer 8

yes and then at the bottom tip there is a straight line CA that is 5 yds

Answer 9

i can work with that

Answer 10

the triangle is also a little more narrow

Answer 11

like this right?

Answer 12

yes

Answer 13

amistre u rekn u cud take a quick look at my q just under this one when ur done?

Answer 14

top of the triangles D the right angle is E and the tip is B

Answer 15

that line in the middle is CA

Answer 16

tanB = tanB

6 5
------ = ---- ; cross multiply now
15 +x x

6x = 75+5x

x = 75

Answer 17

the islands are 75 apart then

Answer 18

Thank you I was off!