SOLUTION: An airplane uses a radio beacon transmitting from an airport to determine how far off course it is from its flight plan to the airport. The pilot takes his first reading and finds

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: An airplane uses a radio beacon transmitting from an airport to determine how far off course it is from its flight plan to the airport. The pilot takes his first reading and finds       Log On


   

Question 1116732: An airplane uses a radio beacon transmitting from an airport to determine how far off course it is from its flight plan to the airport. The pilot takes his first reading and finds that an angle to the beacon o be 25 degrees. Ten miles later the pilot reads the angle to be 49 degrees. How far away is the beacon, and hence the airport, at the time of the seconding reading?
(Please explain it in steps)
Answer by josgarithmetic(39620) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Try drawing and labeling the description, and two triangles.

A, location of first reading
B, location of second reading
T, beacon location
AB is 10 miles

angle BAT is 25 degrees
angle ABT is 131 degree
angle ATB is 24 degrees

Question asks for length BT.

BT%2Fsin%2825%29=10%2Fsin%2824%29

BT=10%28sin%2825%29%2Fsin%2824%29%29