SOLUTION: The Greek mathematician Eratosthenes (ca. 276-195 B.C.) measured the circumference of the earth from the following observations. He noticed that on a certain day the sun shone dire

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Misc -> SOLUTION: The Greek mathematician Eratosthenes (ca. 276-195 B.C.) measured the circumference of the earth from the following observations. He noticed that on a certain day the sun shone dire      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 566222: The Greek mathematician Eratosthenes (ca. 276-195 B.C.) measured the circumference of the earth from the following observations. He noticed that on a certain day the sun shone directly down a deep well in Syene (modern Aswan). At the same time in Alexandria, 500 miles north (on the same meridian), the rays of the sun shone at an angle of 7.2° to the zenith. Use this information and the figure to find the radius of the earth. (Round your answer to the nearest ten miles.)


Use this information and the figure to find the circumference of the earth.
Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
the 7.2º is the size of the arc on the Earth's circumference covered by 500 mi