The locations, given in polar coordinates, for two ships are (8 mi, 63º) and (8 mi, 123º). Find the distance between the two shi
2 answers:
We know that
The arrangement forms an isosceles triangle with equal legs of 8 miles.
The angle between the legs is equal to
°
Therefore, the other two angles are
Angles = (180-60)/2 = 120/2 = 60°
It can, therefore, be noted that all angles are equal and thus the resulting triangle is actually an equilateral triangle and thus all the sides are equal.
Hence
the answer is
the distance between the two ships is 8 miles apart
alternative Method
Applying the law of cosines
<span>c²=a²+b²-2*a*b*cos C
</span>where
a=8 miles
b=8 miles
C is the angle between the legs-------> 123-63------> 60 degrees
c is the distance between the two ships
so
c²=8²+8²-2*8*8*cos 60------> c²=64-------> c=√64------> c=8 miles
The arrangement forms an isosceles triangle with equal legs of 8 miles.
The angle between the legs is equal to
Therefore, the other two angles are
Angles = (180-60)/2 = 120/2 = 60°
It can, therefore, be noted that all angles are equal and thus the resulting triangle is actually an equilateral triangle and thus all the sides are equal.
Hence
the answer is
the distance between the two ships is 8 miles apart
alternative Method
Applying the law of cosines
<span>c²=a²+b²-2*a*b*cos C
</span>where
a=8 miles
b=8 miles
C is the angle between the legs-------> 123-63------> 60 degrees
c is the distance between the two ships
so
c²=8²+8²-2*8*8*cos 60------> c²=64-------> c=√64------> c=8 miles
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