A shooting star forms a right triangle with the Earth and the Sun, as shown below:

A right triangle is shown with the vertices labeled Earth, Sun, and Shooting Star. The angle formed by the Sun is labeled x degrees and the side between the Earth and the Shooting Star is labeled y.

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

A shooting star forms a right triangle with the Earth and the Sun, as shown below:

A right triangle is shown with the vertices labeled Earth, Sun, and Shooting Star. The angle formed by the Sun is labeled x degrees and the side between the Earth and the Shooting Star is labeled y.

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.

anonymous · Answer

@peachpi

anonymous · Answer

attachment

anonymous · Answer

Let's call the line you're trying to find Z.
Do you know which trig function (sin, cos, or tan) you would use to find z?
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anonymous · Answer

SOHCAHTOA and z is the adjacent and we're also given the opposite so tangent?

anonymous · Answer

right. That's basically all you need to write, that you'd use tangent to find it

anonymous · Answer

lol thanks @peachpi, you really do help alot jeez

anonymous · Answer

lol you're welcome