Here's an image from my book: http://i50.tinypic.com/eke93.jpg

I have the answer it is 342.33 Feet. However, I don't understand how to get this answer. There are two known sides. From the fence to home, a total of 400 feet. From each base is 90 feet. This creates a triangle with home, third base, to the fence. I thought it was as simple as using the law of cosines, so my problem looked like this:

distance = (90^2) + (400^2) - [ 2 * 90 * 400 * Cos(45) ]

Could someone guide me on this one please? I would appreciate it a lot!

Question

Here's an image from my book: http://i50.tinypic.com/eke93.jpg

I have the answer it is 342.33 Feet. However, I don't understand how to get this answer. There are two known sides. From the fence to home, a total of 400 feet. From each base is 90 feet. This creates a triangle with home, third base, to the fence. I thought it was as simple as using the law of cosines, so my problem looked like this:

distance = (90^2) + (400^2) - [ 2 * 90 * 400 * Cos(45) ]

Could someone guide me on this one please? I would appreciate it a lot!

asnaseer · Answer

use of law of cosines is correct.
however, you have not used the correct value of all side lengths.

asnaseer · Answer

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