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Calculate the distance between point A and B. Give answer in nautical miles and km.

A: 20 degrees 40' N
B: 18 degrees 20' N
Hint: 1 degree latitude= 60'= 60 nautical miles= 111km

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

The distance between point A and B is 140 nautical miles or 259.28 kilometers, calculated using the difference in latitude and conversion factors provided.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the distance between point A and B, we use the information given that 1 degree of latitude is equal to 60 nautical miles. The latitude of point A is 20 degrees 40 minutes north, and the latitude of point B is 18 degrees 20 minutes north. We first convert the minutes to degrees by dividing by 60:

Point A: 20 degrees + (40'/60) = 20.6667 degrees

  • Point B: 18 degrees + (20'/60) = 18.3333 degrees

  • The difference in latitude between points A and B in degrees is:

  • 20.6667 degrees - 18.3333 degrees = 2.3334 degrees
  • Now convert the degrees into nautical miles:

  • 2.3334 degrees × 60
  • nautical
  • miles/degree = 140 nautical miles

To convert this distance into kilometers, use the given conversion:
140 nautical miles × 1.852 kilometers/nautical mile = 259.28 kilometers

Therefore, the distance between point A and B is 140 nautical miles or 259.28 kilometers.

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