Question

What is the distance, CD, between the boats? *PIC in description*

Answer 1

Which trigonometric ratio relates perpendicular and base ?

Answer 2

Tangent? Opposite/Adjacent

Answer 3

Yea..
I drew the diagram because I wasn't sure which term to use.

In the question, length of opposite for both the triangles is 400 ft.
We need to find the difference b/w the length of adjacent for the two triangles.

Now can you tell me the final answer?

Answer 4

No I still don't know how to set it up so I can solve

Answer 5

@LastDayWork

Answer 6

Can you find BC ?

Answer 7

Would it be tan 60 = 400/x?

Answer 8

@LastDayWork

Answer 9

Yep..
Now find the value of x

Similarly, you can find the length of BD

Answer 10

So would the value of x be 692.8?

Answer 11

See this - http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=400%2Ftan%2860%29&a=*C.tan-_*Function.dflt-&a=TrigRD_D

Answer 12

Okay so its 230.94 now what

Answer 13

Like how do I get to my answer cause I have 5 more problems just like this that I'm going to do on my own so I just need to know how to get to the answer..not JUST the answer but how to get to it

Answer 14

Now, find length of BD

Answer 15

How do I set that up to solve? @LastDayWork

Answer 16

It is similar to the one we just solved.
Forget the line AC; and focus only on triangle ABD

Answer 17

Soooo....? tan of 30 = what Help me

Answer 18

Does this helps ??

Answer 19

I got 230.9 and that's not an option on the homework multiple choice. So

Answer 20

a. 461.9 ft
b. 530.9 ft
c. 646.4 ft
d. 325.5 ft

Answer 21

You mean you got BD = 230.9 ??

Answer 22

Whatever I just solved for that we were talking about OMG it shouldnt take an hour to solve one problem :(

Answer 23

the combined triangles form a 180 degree angle so the angle ACD is equal to 120

Answer 24

Can you tell me the value of
tan(30)
tan(60)

PS: You made the same mistake again. So unless you are short of time, I think we should first find the error in your approach.

Answer 25

180-(120+30)=30

Answer 26

Okay wait I am SO confused. The problem you just gave me comes out to 30 = 30 @Abmon98 And I am short on time and this question is thoroughly confusing

Answer 27

@LastDayWork

Answer 28

Okay.
BC =400/tan(60) = 230.9 ft
BD = 400/tan(30) = 692.8 ft
(Donno why you swapped them)

CD = BD - BC

Answer 29

i found it!

Answer 30

LITERALLY I am so stupid how did I find that so difficult

Answer 31

You were either making a mistake in division, or you were confused with the value of tan(30) and tan(60)

I hope you noted the error. :)

Answer 32

180-60=120 degrees as they form an obtuse angle
use sine rule
400/sin60=AC/sin90
AC=461.880215
461.880215/sin30=CD/sin30
CD=461.880215 to 1 dp the answer is 461.9