Answer: 20.64 miles.
Step-by-step explanation: The assignment of nomenclature to the location of the boat's initiation as point A, the termination of the first course of the excursion as point B, and the termination of the second course of the journey as point C is proposed. The present study reveals that the spatial positioning of point A and point B is separated by a distance of precisely 15 miles in an eastward direction. Similarly, point B and point C are separated by a distance of 15 miles, but oriented along the vector of N 20° E.
The application of trigonometry provides a means to determine the spatial separation between point B and point C. Based on computations, the distance from point B to point C has been estimated to be approximately 7.83 miles along the northward direction and approximately 14.16 miles along the eastward direction.
Henceforth, the computation of the distance between point A and point C (i.e., the prevailing separation of the boat from the pier) can be determined by the ensuing method:
The mathematical expression denoting the distance between points A and C, designated as AC, is given by the square root of the sum of the squares of the distances between points A and B, designated as AB, and between points B and C, designated as BC. In formulaic notation, this can be expressed as AC = √((AB)² + (BC)²).
The magnitude of the distance denoted by AC, between two points A and C, can be calculated using the Euclidean distance formula, which involves the square root of the sum of the squares of the differences between the corresponding coordinates of the two points. In this particular case, the calculation results in the expression √(15² + 14.16²).
The distance between points A and C, denoted as AC, can be expressed mathematically as the square root of the sum of the squares of the horizontal and vertical distances between them. Thus, AC = √(225 + 200.89), where 225 and 200.89 represent the square of the horizontal and vertical distance, respectively. This equation can be simplified to yield the measurement of the physical distance between points A and C in the applicable units of length.
The distance between points A and C is determined to be the square root of 425.89 in units of length.
The measurement of the distance between point A and point C is approximately equivalent to 20.64 miles.