Question

What is the distance to the earth's horizon from

point P?
Enter your answer as a decimal in the box.
Round only your final answer to the nearest
tenth.

Answer 1

Answer: 216.2 miles

Explanation:

Alright, lets get started.

As the diagram shows, the line from point P is tangent to earth's curvature.

It means it is making right angle.

So the triangle formed will be right triangle.

Hence we can use Pythagorean theorem in it.

So from point P to center of earth, it will be hypotenuse of triangle.

`c^2=a^2+b^2`

`(3959+5.9)^2=3959^2+x^2`

`3964.9^2=3959^2+x^2`

`15720432.01=15673681+x^2`

`x^2=46751.01`

taking square root, the x will be :

`x = 216.2`

hence the value of x is 216.2 miles. : Answer

Hope it will help :)