SOLUTION: 4. In navigational terms, a bearing is defined as the number of degrees a direction is from due north clockwise. If a plane flying 120 mph has flown 1 hour at a bearing of 32°, ho

Algebra ->  Length-and-distance -> SOLUTION: 4. In navigational terms, a bearing is defined as the number of degrees a direction is from due north clockwise. If a plane flying 120 mph has flown 1 hour at a bearing of 32°, ho      Log On


   

Question 251374: 4. In navigational terms, a bearing is defined as the number of degrees a direction is from due north clockwise. If a plane flying 120 mph has flown 1 hour at a bearing of 32°, how far has it flown in a horizontal direction?
Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


If you truly mean "a horizontal" direction, meaning parallel to the horizon, then the answer is simply 120 mph times 1 hour = 120 miles. On the other hand, given the discussion of the meaning of bearing, you mean "an East-West" direction, then you want the magnitude of the East-West velocity vector times 1 hour. For North-South



Where is the magnitude of the velocity vector in the direction of travel and is the bearing angle. And for East-West:



Just whip out the calculator and make sure you are in Degrees mode.

John