SOLUTION: the angles of elevation to an airplane from two points A and B on level ground are 51 degrees and 68 degrees respectively. The points A and B are 2.5 miles apart, and the airplane
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Question 388066: the angles of elevation to an airplane from two points A and B on level ground are 51 degrees and 68 degrees respectively. The points A and B are 2.5 miles apart, and the airplane is east of both points in the same vertical plane. Find the altitude of the plane.
thanks for the help! i've been stuck on this problem for like an hour now! Answer by Alan3354(69443) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! the angles of elevation to an airplane from two points A and B on level ground are 51 degrees and 68 degrees respectively. The points A and B are 2.5 miles apart, and the airplane is east of both points in the same vertical plane. Find the altitude of the plane.
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The interior angle at point B is 180 - 68 = 112º
Angle C (at the plane) = 180 - (A+B) = 17º
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Use the Law of Sines to find side AC
AB/sin(17) = AC/sin(112)
AC = AB*sin(112)/sin(17) =~ 7.928 miles
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Altitude = AC*sin(51) =~ 6.163 miles
= 32532 feet
