Question

An observer (O) spots a plane flying at a 55° angle to his horizontal line of sight. If the plane is flying at an altitude of 21,000 ft., what is the distance (x) from the plane (P) to the observer (O)?

Answer 1

Explanation:

The givens form a right triangle. The operational definition is The opposite over the hypotenuse, where the hypotenuse is the unknown.

sin(x) = 21000/hypotenuse

sin(55) = 21000 / hypotenuse

hypotenuse * sin(55) = 21000

hypotenuse = 21000/sin(55)

hypotenuse = 25636 feet.= 26000 feet rounded.

The answer does make sense. The hypotenuse is larger than the given height.