Question

The distance between two points A and B on latitude 60°S along their parallel of latitude is 2816km. (I) calculate the angular difference in their longitudes (ii) if A is due west of B and on longitude 20°W, find the longitude of B

Answer 1

i) The angular difference in their longitude is approximately 50.65°

ii) The line of longitude where B is located is approximately 30.65°E

Explanation:

The given parameters are;

The angle of latitude where the points A and B are located = 60°S

The distance between points A and B = 2,816 km

(i) The angular difference in their longitude, θ, is given as follows;

θ = 2,816/(2 × π × 6,371 × cos(60°)) × 360 ≈ 50.65°

The angular difference in their longitude, θ ≈ 50.65°

(ii) The location of the point A relative to B = Due west

The line of longitude on which A is located = 20°W

∴ The line of longitude where B is located, P = θ - 20°

∴ P = 50.65° - 20°W = 30.65°E

The line of longitude where B is located ≈ 30.65°E.