To find the distance to the sun, we need to know the distance to the moon. Here is a way to estimate that distance: When the moon is seen at its zenith at a point A on the earth, it is observed to be at the horizon from point B (see the following figure). Points A and B are 6155 mi apart, and the radius of the earth is 3960 mi.

I found the first part, which is 89.05 degrees. I thought the second part would be 238843.8771 which would round to 239000 mi but i'm not sure, it's not accepting it as the right answer. Please help!

Question

To find the distance to the sun, we need to know the distance to the moon. Here is a way to estimate that distance: When the moon is seen at its zenith at a point A on the earth, it is observed to be at the horizon from point B (see the following figure). Points A and B are 6155 mi apart, and the radius of the earth is 3960 mi.

I found the first part, which is 89.05 degrees. I thought the second part would be 238843.8771 which would round to 239000 mi but i'm not sure, it's not accepting it as the right answer. Please help!

mathstudent55 · Answer

Where is the figure?