Answer: The approximate distance between the earth and the satellite is 13464.24 miles
Step-by-step explanation:
Since we have given that
Distance of a satellite from the horizon of Earth = 17000 miles
Radius of earth = 4000 miles
As shown in the figure below:
Let the distance between the earth and the satellite be 'x'.
So, AO = OB = 4000 miles (Radii of the circle)
BC = 'x' units
AC= 17000 miles
As we know that the tangent from the external point forms right angle with the radius of the circle.
So, In Δ ABC,
Hence, the approximate distance between the earth and the satellite is 13464.24 miles.