Question
A ship sails 50 km on a bearing of 70 degrees. How far North is it from its starting position.
Answers
Reiny
Assuming that "bearing" to you means North = 0 and you are going clockwise.
Make a sketch and complete the right-angled triangle:
sin20° = y/50 ---> y = 50sin20 = appr 17.1 km
or
cos70° = y/50 ---> y = 50cos70 = appr 17.1 km
Make a sketch and complete the right-angled triangle:
sin20° = y/50 ---> y = 50sin20 = appr 17.1 km
or
cos70° = y/50 ---> y = 50cos70 = appr 17.1 km