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The pilot of an airplane wants to fly due north, but there is a 65 km/h wind blowing from east to west. In what direction should the pilot head her plane if its speed relative to the air is 340 km/h

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Answer: 10.8° north of east

Step-by-step explanation:

The plane is traveling north with a speed of 340 km/h and the wind is blowing west with a speed of 65 km/h.

tan(θ) = opposite/adjacent

Opposite = 65 km/h

Adjacent = 340 km/h


tan(θ) = 65/340

θ = arctan(65/340)

θ = arctan(0.19)

θ = 10.8° north of east

The plane would want to go northeast because the east is in the opposite direction of the west.

User Phil Boltt
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