Answer:
Explanation:
1) You can draw a right triangle where the distance of 17,000 miles from the horizon of Earth is leg, perpendicularto the radius of the Earth, and such radius is the other leg, 4,000 miles.
2) By the construction of the right triangle, the hypotenuse is the sum of the height of the satelite (unknown, x) plus the radius of the Earth (4,000) = x + 4,000.
3) Now, you can use Pythagora's theorem:
- (x+4,000)² = 4,000² + 17,000²
- (x + 4,000)² = 305,000,000
- (x + 4,000) = 17,464 (take only the positive root)
- x = 17,464 - 4000 = 13,464
Remember to include the units: miles.
Answer: 13,464 miles.
