An observer (O) spots a bird flying at a 55° angle from a line drawn horizontal to its nest. If the distance from the observer (O) to the bird (B) is 15,000 ft., how far is the bird (B) from its nest (N)? Round to the nearest whole number.

These are the choices:
A) 8,604 Feet
B) 12,287 Feet
C) 18,366 Feet
D) 21,422 Feet

Question

An observer (O) spots a bird flying at a 55° angle from a line drawn horizontal to its nest. If the distance from the observer (O) to the bird (B) is 15,000 ft., how far is the bird (B) from its nest (N)? Round to the nearest whole number.


These are the choices:
A) 8,604 Feet
B) 12,287 Feet
C) 18,366 Feet
D) 21,422 Feet

anonymous · Answer

attachment

anonymous · Answer

I'd like to learn this please, not just get the answer! :)

anonymous · Answer

I know the functions by the way.

welshfella · Answer

angle = 55 degrees
side adjacent to the angle (A)  = x
hypotenuse (H)  = 15,000

so which trig ratio do we require?

anonymous · Answer

The cosine function?

welshfella · Answer

by trig ratio i mean trig function

welshfella · Answer

yes

anonymous · Answer

Okay, so the first step would be: cos55 = x/15,000 ??

welshfella · Answer

that correct

anonymous · Answer

Okay, then you'd do cos 55 into the calculator which gives you: 0.57357. Then I'd multiple 15,000 into 0.57357?

anonymous · Answer

yep!

anonymous · Answer

Which will be: 8603.55 which rounds to 8604 which is A. :)

welshfella · Answer

yes

anonymous · Answer

Okay, thank you haha! :)

anonymous · Answer

Looks like you hardly need any help champ!

welshfella · Answer

well done

anonymous · Answer

Wanted to make sure I was correct lol.

welshfella · Answer

I don't want to appear pedantic but its more correct to say 'multiply by' than 'multiply into' - this threw me at first  because you can  say 'divide into'.