Question

A pilot is flying a plane 4.5 mi above the earth’s surface.

From the pilot’s viewpoint, what is the distance to the horizon?



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

Answer 1

x^2 +r^2 = (r+h)^2 re write as x^2 = h^2 + 2*Rh
h = 4.5r = 3959
x^2 = 4.5^2 + 2 *3959 * 4.5
x^2 = 20.25 + 35631
x^2 = 35651.25
x = sqrt(35651.25)
x = 188.8 miles