Question 473662: 4. When the moon is exactly half full, the earth, moon, and sun form a right angle (see the figure). At that time the angle formed by the sun, earth, and moon is measured to be 89.85°. If the distance from the earth to the moon is 240,000 mi, estimate the distance from the earth to the sun.
Answer by stanbon(75887)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! When the moon is exactly half full, the earth, moon, and sun form a right angle (see the figure). At that time the angle formed by the sun, earth, and moon is measured to be 89.85°. If the distance from the earth to the moon is 240,000 mi, estimate the distance from the earth to the sun.
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Draw the picture.
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cos(89.85) = 240,000/d
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d = 240,000/cos(89.85)
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distance = 91,673,351.94 miles
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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