A fire is sighted from two ranger stations that are 4,000 m apart. The angles of observation to the fire measure 50 degrees from one station and 43 from the other station. Find the distance along the line of sight to the fire from the closer of the two stations.

Question

anonymous · Answer

How much trig experience do you have? Do you know the law of cosines?

anonymous · Answer

hi, im in regular pre-calc and just started the law of cosines and sines

anonymous · Answer

Okay, so would you at least know how to draw this picture? It would make it easier to use the laws of cosines, sines

anonymous · Answer

not sure how the picture would look like

anonymous · Answer

but i understand the formulas

anonymous · Answer

ok, give me a sec to draw this.

anonymous · Answer

okay thanks

anonymous · Answer

|dw:1351385513467:dw|

anonymous · Answer

Perhaps you can use the laws of sines to solve this.

anonymous · Answer

so would i use the 43 degrees because its the closer of the two stations?

anonymous · Answer

I wouldn't exactly know, I would have to solve it.

anonymous · Answer

ok. hold on!

anonymous · Answer

sure

anonymous · Answer

perfect. your picture was a huge help, i found the answer , which was x=2731.7
could you perhaps help me on another problem.

anonymous · Answer

Sure

anonymous · Answer

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anonymous · Answer

nice!! thank you. but im going to post another question. thank you, i appreciate it