Question

To approach the runway, a pilot of a small plane must begin at 6 degrees,descent starting from a height of 1905 feet above the ground. To the nearest tenth of a mile, how many miles from the runway is the airplane at the start of this approach

Answer 1

C. 3.5 mi

Explanation:

Reference angle = angle of elevation

Angle of elevation = angle of depression = 6° (alternate angle theorem)

Hypotenuse = x

Opposite = 1905 ft

Apply trigonometric function SOH:

Sin 6° = Opp/Hyp

Sin 6° = 1905/x

x * Sin 6° = 1905

x = 1905/Sin 6°

x = 18,224.7 ft

Convert form feet to miles

1 mi = 5,280 ft

Therefore,

18,224.7 = 18,224.7/5,280

= 3.45164773 mi

≈ 3.5 mi (nearest mile)