In solving this problem we can consider Earth to be a sphere. When we have a circle, then we can use this formula to find arc length:
Where:
L= arc length (in this problem it is disance we need to travel)
R = radius of circle (in this problem it is equal to a radius of Earth)
C = angle we need to pass
We are told that two cities lie halfway around the world. If we fly to west this means angle is 180°.
This gives an arc length of:
If we want to fly to north we need to go to 90° northern latidtude and then back to 17° latitude. This means angle is:
C=2*(90-17)=2*73°=146°
This gives an arc length of:
We can see that flying north is shorter. It is shorter by:
12440.71 miles - 10090.8 miles = 2349.91 miles
Where:
L= arc length (in this problem it is disance we need to travel)
R = radius of circle (in this problem it is equal to a radius of Earth)
C = angle we need to pass
We are told that two cities lie halfway around the world. If we fly to west this means angle is 180°.
This gives an arc length of:
If we want to fly to north we need to go to 90° northern latidtude and then back to 17° latitude. This means angle is:
C=2*(90-17)=2*73°=146°
This gives an arc length of:
We can see that flying north is shorter. It is shorter by:
12440.71 miles - 10090.8 miles = 2349.91 miles