 |
| ||
| |||
|
| Math Central | Quandaries & Queries |
|
Question from vinton, a student: ok there is a triangle labeled q, p, r......the three towns p, q, r are such that the bearing of p from q is 070 degrees. (i) calculate correct to one decimal place, the distance of pr. |
Vinton,
If the bearing is measured counterclockwise from north then I have this diagram (all the distances are in kilometers).
s is the point where the north-south line meets the line joining p and r. I let the distance from p to s be x km and the distance from q to s be y km. You can use the sine and cosine of 70o to find x and y. Since triangle rsq is a right triangle you can use Pythagoras theorem to find the distance from p to q.
Penny
| ||
| ||
| ||
 |
 |
|
Math Central is supported by the University of Regina and The Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences.