Question

A scientist measures the angle x and the distance y between the Earth and the Sun. explain how the scientist can use only these two measurements to calculate the distance between the Sun and the shooting star.

Answer 1

I just need someone to tell me if the scientist would use tan, sin, or cosine ratio

Answer 2

@NoelGreco @ILovePuppiesLol

Answer 3

I think they would use tangent?

Answer 4

Since he would have to sides, I would just find the third angle (Since the third angle would be found using 180-90-x), then sine

Answer 5

two*

Answer 6

I don't have to find the angle. I need to say if the scientist would use tan, sin, or cosine

Answer 7

I would use sine if I was him

Answer 8

So it wouldn't be tan?

Answer 9

the distance between the sun and the shooting star is equal to the value of side b whitch is the hypotenuse.

Answer 10

Because he has the right angle and the x angle himself, so he would know that a triangle equals 180 degrees

I would then put on my lab goggles and calculate

\[180 - 90 - x\] to find that third angle.

I would lastly use the law of sines to find that vertical distance

\[\frac{ Shooting Star Distance }{ \sin(x) } = \frac{ Side Y }{ The \angle I just found}\]

Answer 11

After that, Phythagoras for hypotenuse

Answer 12

now u know use ur sohcahtoa to find side b.

Answer 13

I didn't say you did, I'm just saying what the scientist would do

Answer 14

what trig identities is adjecent/hypothenus?

Answer 15

cosine

Answer 16

there you go

Answer 17

Can you explain why they would use cosine?

Answer 18

surething, costheta is adjecent over hypothenus, you are giving the adjecent side but the hypothenus whisc is the distance you are looking for is unknown, therefore you need to look for an identities that has adjecent and hypothenus.

Answer 19

Okay makes sense. Thanks :)