Question

The Captain of a freighter 8km fromthe nearer of two unloading docks on the shore finds that the angle between the lines of sight to the docks is 35 degrees. if the docks are 10km apart, how far is the tanker from the farther dock?


My answers :

idont know whis one is right
method # 1:
suppose b= 8, c=10,a=?
a^2+b^2=c^2
a^2=(10)^2-(8)^2=
100-64=36
taking sqaur root of 36
a=6

method #2

A= unknown
B= unknown
C=35 degrees
a=unkown
b=8km
c=10km
using law of sin
sin 35/10=sinB/8
=.45
B=.45 dgrees
then B+C-180=A
.45+35-180=144.5
A=144.5
using law of sin
sin 35/10=sin 144.5/a
=10.12
a=10.12

Answer 1

The law of sines is the way to do this. That is your method #2. Method #1 only applies to right triangles.

You made some algebra errors, however.

sin B = 0.4589
B = 27.3 degrees

180 - B - C = A , not what you wrote.

Answer 2

how does B= 27.3 how did u come up with that number

Answer 3

thanks