Please Help!! I Need You!!! Trig Question...

A cruise ship travels 330 miles due east before turning 25 degrees north of east. It travels 180 miles along its new course. How far is the cruise ship from its initial position?

Question

Please Help!! I Need You!!! Trig Question...

A cruise ship travels 330 miles due east before turning 25 degrees north of east. It travels 180 miles along its new course. How far is the cruise ship from its initial position?

anonymous · Answer

@Hero @zepdrix @mathslover

mathslover · Answer

Try to draw a diagram.

anonymous · Answer

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anonymous · Answer

the x is in the right place?

anonymous · Answer

please help!! @Hero

anonymous · Answer

Looks right to me, except 180 is shorter then 330 so it shouldn't be like a right angle triangle.

anonymous · Answer

Do you know the sine rule?

anonymous · Answer

no... :(

anonymous · Answer

But thank you for helping me right now! No one helps me on here :(

anonymous · Answer

No problem :) I understand how you feel - help is difficult to obtain unless you're on a more active time zone. Hey - at least mathslover popped in!

The sine rule allows you to find angles or lengths for any triangle. 

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Do you understand why I arranged the diagram like this?

anonymous · Answer

So basicly, the way to remember is that if you're looking for lengths, it's always at the top. If you're looking for a angle, it's always at the top.

anonymous · Answer

ohh okay.. continue..

anonymous · Answer

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Using the formula I gave you, substitute and show me the formula.

anonymous · Answer

No need to work things out yet - I'm showing you step by step.

anonymous · Answer

I will have to leave soon, so best if you reply quickly. Also, get a calculator, you'll need it in the final step.

anonymous · Answer

330/sin(A) = 180/sin(B) = C/sin(25)

anonymous · Answer

Sorry, I reliased you'll need to find the angle first. So use the angle formula. :)

anonymous · Answer

sin(A)/330 = sin(B)/180 = sin(25)/C

anonymous · Answer

Something's wrong, I think I've missed a step. In the sine formula:

Length requires at least 3 known parts - one length, 2 angles.
Angle requires at least 3 known parts - two length and one angle.

I'm really sorry, I don't think I can help you out :( Good luck to you!

anonymous · Answer

That still looks right with the equations, but okay, thank you anyways :(

anonymous · Answer

Yey! @vinnv226 think you can help?

anonymous · Answer

You have the directions wrong. It travels east, then turns north of east.
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