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    jjhawk125's Avatar
    jjhawk125 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Apr 13, 2009, 08:58 PM
    Trig word problems dealing with distance and bearing
    A hiker travels N 33 degrees W for 15km, then turns 90 degrees and walks 12km in the direction S 57 degrees W At that time how far is the hiker from his starting point? What is his bearing from his starting point?


    My teacher went over this so fast and I am utterly confused
    HelpinHere's Avatar
    HelpinHere Posts: 1,062, Reputation: 144
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    #2

    Apr 13, 2009, 09:17 PM

    For this, you can do two things:
    One, the pythagorean theorum:
    where c is your hypothenuse.
    However, based off your title, I'd assume you are instructed to solve using the trig functions.
    Sin = Opposite/Hypothenuse
    Cos = Adjacent/Hypothenuse
    Tan = Opposite/Adjacent

    It's easy to remember with the acronym:
    SohCahToa

    57__12___... In this case, you will solve for the diagonal line. X
    ... \... 90|... You can use Sin33 = 12/X
    ... \... |... You can use Cos57 = 15/X
    ... X\... |15... Plug one of these trig functions into your calculator to get a decimal value, then
    ... \.. |... you simply convert the equation to get X by itself. If you don't have a calculator
    ... \|33... with trig functions, you may find them in the back of your book.
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