Find the distance (in miles) along an arc on the surface of the earth that subtends a central angle of 3 minutes (1 minute = 1/60 degree). The radius of the earth is 3960 miles.

Question

dan815 · Answer

s0 3/60 degrees is what we want arc of

dan815 · Answer

the radius is 3960 miles so
the whol circumference is 
Circum=2pi*r=2*pi*3960
now
for 360 degrres = full circumference
60 degrees is 1/6th of 360=1/6th of full cirfumference
3/60 = 3/60^2 of 60=3/60^2*1/6h of full circumference

dan815 · Answer

or just do this

dan815 · Answer

360 deg = 2pi*r
3/60 deg = x
----------
120*60*3/60=120*60*x
360=7200x
360 =2*pi*r
so 7200 x= 2pi*r
x=2*pi*r/7200

dan815 · Answer

im seeing what factor to multiply the 2nd equation to make it 360 deg = something

anonymous · Answer

thank you!!

anonymous · Answer

the answer is 3.455751919 miles