Question

A small radio transmitter broadcasts in a 46 mile radius. If you drive along a straight line from a city 60 miles north of the transmitter to a second city 51 miles east of the transmitter, during how much of the drive will you pick up a signal from the transmitter?

Answer 1

The answer is 38.5 miles

Explanation:

From the attached diagram

AC represents the distance needed to be traveled before picking the signal.

Using Pythagoras'rule to solve for AC from triangle ACO

(AO)^2 = (AC)^2 + (CO)^2

(60)^2 = (AC)^ + (46)^2

(AC) = ✓[(60)^2 - (46)^2]

AC = 38.5 miles

Answer 2

The signal will not be picked up if he drives from the first city to the second city as far as he drives along a straight line.

Explanation:

The attachment to the answer clearly explains why no signal will be picked up