Using satellite technology, the distance between two planes can be measured by keeping track of the angle between them and the distance of each plane to the tracking station. Assume plane 1 is 176.27 miles away d plane 2 is 222.34 miles away and the angle formed with the tracking station is 38.59°. How far apart are the planes?

Question

anonymous · Answer

attachment

amistre64 · Answer

law of cosines .....

amistre64 · Answer

|dw:1397222195367:dw|


$$c^2=a^2+b^2-2ab~cos(\alpha)$$

amistre64 · Answer

when alpha = 90, this become the pythag thrm

anonymous · Answer

138.70 is my answer?

amistre64 · Answer

maybe .. id have to work it out to chk lol

amistre64 · Answer

not 138 ...

amistre64 · Answer

not even when i use degree mode either

anonymous · Answer

$$c^2=176.27^2+222.34^2-2(176.27)(222.32)\cos(38.59)$$

anonymous · Answer

does that look right

amistre64 · Answer

looks perfect http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=sqrt%28%28176.27%29%5E2%2B%28222.34%29%5E2%2B2%28176.27%29%28222.34%29cos%2838.59%29%29&a=TrigRD_D

amistre64 · Answer

lol, i had a +2ab instead of -2ab

amistre64 · Answer

138.705 is fine

anonymous · Answer

ok thank you!

amistre64 · Answer

youre welcome, and you did good.  sorry for the typos lol

anonymous · Answer

can you explain how you got the distance between the two planes? I have the same question and I am confused lol