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

Question

richley · Answer

Is this trigonometry?

ishipdestiel · Answer

The y is on the top, couldn't find a better picture ( this is but im in geometry)

supersmart1001 · Answer

i dont knw this sorry

samanddean1967 · Answer

the angle x is known using the basics of trigonometry.  We can figure that y= distance between earth and sun and x= distance between moon and sun which we would divide by y also y*x=distance between moon and sun.

samanddean1967 · Answer

I think that is what you need

ishipdestiel · Answer

Umm i dont think so, im pretty sure im supposed to use SOHCAHTOA

samanddean1967 · Answer

ok well i can help there too I just got that from a very similar question on openstudy

ishipdestiel · Answer

Oh ok

samanddean1967 · Answer

http://www.mathwords.com/s/sohcahtoa.htm

ishipdestiel · Answer

I know how to use SOHCAHTOA normally but im not sure when doing this problem

samanddean1967 · Answer

im reading up on it give me a sec

ishipdestiel · Answer

Ok thanks you

samanddean1967 · Answer

tanx=y/distance between earth and sun 

distance between earth and sun= y/tanx
this makes a ratio this is what I get since it is a right triangle (note this only works for right triangles)

ishipdestiel · Answer

Im not following, could you go step by step ( i am willing to work with you)

samanddean1967 · Answer

so since x and y dont have a given value we wont have an exact answer do you understand

ishipdestiel · Answer

Yes, it just wants to know how I would find it

samanddean1967 · Answer

exactly you are correct there so you explain how you would find it using tan 
so tan=opposite/adjacent

ishipdestiel · Answer

Why tan?

samanddean1967 · Answer

you can use any since none of the values are given tan was just the first that came to mind

ishipdestiel · Answer

Oh ok so for angle x you would have idk BA / y??

samanddean1967 · Answer

we may not know the values but we know the which ones are opposite hypotenuse and adjacent

samanddean1967 · Answer

so lets view it like this y= opposite ok

ishipdestiel · Answer

How? From angle x's perspective?

samanddean1967 · Answer

since tan= opposite/adjacent 
we know that tan=y/adjacent 
so far that is what we know

samanddean1967 · Answer

|dw:1462794980568:dw|
hypotenuse is always longest and opposite is that part on a triangle and then the base part is called the adjacent