Question

two tracking stations are on the equator 173 miles apart. weather balloon located bearing n36e from western station bearing n18w from eastern station. how far is the balloon from the western station?

Answer 1

Draw the two stations (W for western station, E for eastern station)

Answer 2

"weather balloon located bearing n36e from western station"

so what you do is draw a vertical line through W that points north. Then you draw an angle that tilts east and this angle is 36 degrees. That's what "n36e" means. You start north, then turn 36 degrees to the east