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

Question

anonymous · Answer

I don't understand what angles I use for this

anonymous · Answer

d = distance
tan (x) = ?
sin (x) = ?

anonymous · Answer

@Loser66 @ganeshie8 
These are my last 2 questions for this class

loser66 · Answer

Let @ganeshie8  guide you :)

loser66 · Answer

tan x =??

anonymous · Answer

I used those functions on a similar question and they were right but i didn't know what to use them for in this 1

anonymous · Answer

tan = opposite side to angle considered / adjacent side to angle considered

loser66 · Answer

no.name explains it perfectly. :)

anonymous · Answer

is y given

anonymous · Answer

yep thanks, that's what i was wondering about

anonymous · Answer

no

anonymous · Answer

just y

anonymous · Answer

Ok, then  you can do it just one step
Since there are no values the answer would be in "y"

anonymous · Answer

VAriables i mean

anonymous · Answer

tan x = y / The distance between the earth and the sun

 The distance between the earth and the sun =  y / tan x 

(This ratio only works when it is a right angled triangle) 

If y and x are given we can find the exact value

anonymous · Answer

thanks :)

anonymous · Answer

Welcome :)