The moon forms a right triangle with the Earth and the sun during one of its phases, as shown below.

A right angle triangle is shown with the Earth at the right angle. The acute angle between the line joining the Earth and the sun and the sun and the moon is x degrees. The distance between the Earth and the moon is y.

A scientist measures the angle x and the distance y between the Earth and the moon. Using complete sentences, explain how the scientist can use only these two measurements to calculate the distance between the Earth and the sun.

Question

The moon forms a right triangle with the Earth and the sun during one of its phases, as shown below.
 
A right angle triangle is shown with the Earth at the right angle. The acute angle between the line joining the Earth and the sun and the sun and the moon is x degrees. The distance between the Earth and the moon is y.

A scientist measures the angle x and the distance y between the Earth and the moon. Using complete sentences, explain how the scientist can use only these two measurements to calculate the distance between the Earth and the sun.

anonymous · Answer

attachment

anonymous · Answer

the scientist could use a trigonometric function (most likely tan) to find the distance between Earth and the Sun

anonymous · Answer

i'll try it

anonymous · Answer

ok, and im like 95 percent sure that is the answer, but im slightly doubting myself

anonymous · Answer

i dont know if its tan because we have an angle

anonymous · Answer

well tan is opposite over adjacent so thats why i say tan

anonymous · Answer

i think you're right thanks

anonymous · Answer

ok, no problem