144k views
3 votes
A man in a tower spots three hot air balloons flying at the same altitude. Balloon A is 5 miles east and 8 miles south of the tower. Balloon B is 7 miles west and 10 miles north of the tower. If Balloon C is located four-ninths the distance from Balloon A to Balloon B, find the location of Balloon C relative to the tower.

A. 2 miles east and 3 miles north
B. 3 miles west and 4 miles south
C. 1 mile east and 2 miles north
D. 2 miles west and 3 miles south

1 Answer

3 votes

Answer:

The location of Balloon C relative to the tower is 3 miles west and 4 miles south (Option B).

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the location of Balloon C, we first determine the positions of Balloons A and B. Balloon A is 5 miles east and 8 miles south of the tower, while Balloon B is 7 miles west and 10 miles north. The distance between A and B is the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle formed by their positions.

Now, Balloon C is located four-ninths of the distance from Balloon A to Balloon B. Calculating this distance ratio and applying it to the horizontal and vertical displacements between A and B, we find that Balloon C is 3 miles west and 4 miles south relative to the tower.

Understanding geometric relationships and ratios is crucial in solving location problems involving multiple points.

Option b is correct.

User Elena  Unanyan
by
8.4k points