Two roads intersect at an angle of 48 degrees. A car and truck collide at the intersection and leave the scene of the accident. The car travels to the east at 100km/h while the truck goes north at 80 km/h. Fifteen mins after the accident a police helicopter pulls over the car. Twenty mins after the accident a police cruiser pulls over the truck. How far apart are the car and truck at this time?

Question

ash2326 · Answer

See the picture

ash2326 · Answer

Car travels toward east at 100kmph
In 15 minutes it'll travel= $\frac{15}{60}*100$=25 KM
Truck travels towards north at 80kmph
in 20 minutes it'll cover=$\frac{20}{60}*80$=26.66 KM
the distance between the car at this point
$$D=\sqrt{25^2+26.66^2}$$
$$D=36.547 km$$

anonymous · Answer

wait what formula did you use to find the distance?

anonymous · Answer

and the answer to this question is 21.1km :S in the answer key, idk how to get to the answer.

ash2326 · Answer

i used the square root of the two distances, I would have made a mistake somewhere if the answer is 21.1 KM

ash2326 · Answer

GT do you have any idea how we use the 48 degree here

anonymous · Answer

I can try. I think your assumption that the "paths" form a Right Triangle seems to be the problem. My take is that, the car and truck are in this state:

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