Table of contents
- 0. Review of College Algebra4h 43m
- 1. Measuring Angles39m
- 2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
- 3. Unit Circle1h 19m
- 4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
- 5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations1h 41m
- 6. Trigonometric Identities and More Equations2h 34m
- 7. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
- 8. Vectors2h 25m
- 9. Polar Equations2h 5m
- 10. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 11. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles
Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles
Problem 28a
Textbook Question
Solve each problem. See Examples 1 and 2. Flying Distance The bearing from A to C is N 64° W. The bearing from A to B is S 82° W. The bearing from B to C is N 26° E. A plane flying at 350 mph takes 1.8 hr to go from A to B. Find the distance from B to C.
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1
Convert the bearings into angles relative to the north-south line. For example, N 64° W means 64° west of north, and S 82° W means 82° west of south.
Use the speed and time to calculate the distance from A to B. Since the plane flies at 350 mph for 1.8 hours, use the formula: \( \text{Distance} = \text{Speed} \times \text{Time} \).
Draw a diagram to visualize the triangle formed by points A, B, and C, and label the angles and sides based on the bearings and calculated distance.
Apply the Law of Sines or the Law of Cosines to find the distance from B to C. Use the known angles and the distance from A to B to set up the equation.
Solve the equation to find the distance from B to C, ensuring all angle measures and side lengths are correctly used in the trigonometric formulas.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Bearings
Bearings are a way of describing direction using angles measured clockwise from the north. In this problem, bearings such as N 64° W and S 82° W indicate specific angles relative to the north-south line, which are crucial for determining the relative positions of points A, B, and C in a coordinate system.
Trigonometric Functions
Trigonometric functions, such as sine, cosine, and tangent, relate the angles of a triangle to the lengths of its sides. These functions are essential for solving problems involving angles and distances, particularly when determining the distance from B to C using the angles derived from the bearings.
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Introduction to Trigonometric Functions
Distance and Speed Relationship
The relationship between distance, speed, and time is expressed by the formula distance = speed × time. In this scenario, knowing the speed of the plane and the time taken to travel from A to B allows us to calculate the distance AB, which can then be used in conjunction with the bearings to find the distance from B to C.
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Example 1
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