Question

To approach the runway, a pilot of a small plane must begin a 10° 10° {"version":"1.1","math":"10°"}  descent starting from a height of 1983 feet above the ground. To the nearest tenth of a mile, how many miles from the runway is the airplane at the start of this approach?

Answer 1

2.1258 miles from the runway is the airplane at the start of this approach

Explanation:

ΔABC

AB = 1,983 feets

`\tan\alpha =(AB)/(AC)`

`\tan10^o=0.1763=(1,983)/(AC)`

`AC=(1,983)/(0.1763)=11,247.87 feets`

1 foot = 0.000189 mile

1,247.87 feets = 1,247.87 × 0.000189 mile = 2.1258 miles

2.1258 miles from the runway is the airplane at the start of this approach