The locations, given in polar coordinates, for two planes approaching an airport are (4 mi, 12º) and (3 mi, 73º). Find the distance between the two planes.

a. 1.00 mi
c. 5.00 mi
b. 61.01 mi
d. 3.66 mi

Question

The locations, given in polar coordinates, for two planes approaching an airport are (4 mi, 12º) and (3 mi, 73º). Find the distance between the two planes.


a. 1.00 mi
c. 5.00 mi
b. 61.01 mi
d. 3.66 mi

anonymous · Answer

the included angle is 73 - 12 = 61 degrees. Now just use law of cosine

hkmiu · Answer

cosine of 61?

anonymous · Answer

given a,b and an included angle θ, the length of the missing side, called c, is:
c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2ab cos(θ)

anonymous · Answer

you know two sides, and the angle. It's just the matter of plug and chug

hkmiu · Answer

either im sleepy or I just don't get it at all D:

anonymous · Answer

you're sleepy :D

hkmiu · Answer

its about 3.66 mi right