Question

What is the distance to the earth’s horizon from point P? Express your answer as a decimal

Answer 1

Answer:

The distance to the earth's horizon from point P is 216.2198187 mi, appriximately 216.22 mi

Step-by-step explanation:

This is a right triangle:

Hypotenuse: c=3959 mi + 5.9 mi → c=3964.9 mi

Leg 1: a=x=?

Leg 2: b=3959 mi

Using the Pytagorean theorem:

a^2+b^2=c^2

Replacing the known values:

(x)^2+(3959 mi)^2=(3964.9 mi)^2

Solving for x: Squaring:

x^2+15,673,681 mi^2=15,720,432.01 mi^2

Subtracting 15,673,681 mi^2 both sides of the equation:

x^2+15,673,681 mi^2-15,673,681 mi^2=15,720,432.01 mi^2-15,673,681 mi^2

x^2=46,751.01 mi^2

Square root both sides of the equation:

sqrt(x^2)=sqrt(46,751.01 mi^2)

x=216.2198187 mi

x=216.22 mi