Question

A small plane and a large plane are 6.8km from each other, at the same altitude (height). From an observation tower, the two airplanes are separated by an angle of 58°. The large plane is 5.2km from the observation tower. a. Draw a diagram to represent this situation. b. How far is the small plane from the observation tower, to the nearest tenth of a kilometer?

Answer 1

Answer:

7.9km

Step-by-step explanation:

(a)See attached for the diagram representing this situation.

(b)

In Triangle ABC

$\text{Using Law of Sines}\\\dfrac{\sin A}{a}=\dfrac{\sin C}{c} \\\dfrac{\sin A}{5.2}=\dfrac{\sin 58^\circ}{6.8} \\\sin A=5.2 \times \dfrac{\sin 58^\circ}{6.8}\\A=\arcsin (5.2 \times \dfrac{\sin 58^\circ}{6.8})\\A=40.43^\circ$

Next, we determine the value of Angle B.

$\angle A+\angle B+\angle C=180^\circ\\40.43+58+\angle B=180^\circ\\\angle B=180^\circ-(40.43+58)\\\angle B=81.57^\circ$

Finally, we find b.

$\text{Using Law of SInes}\\\dfrac{b}{\sin B}=\dfrac{c}{\sin C} \\\dfrac{b}{\sin 81.57^\circ}=\dfrac{6.8}{\sin 58^\circ} \\b=\dfrac{6.8}{\sin 58^\circ} \times \sin 81.57^\circ\\b=7.9km (to the nearest tenth of a kilometer)$

The distance between the small plane and the observation tower is 7.9km.