Just the last line is wrong. The angle 55 degrees references the resultant from the -x axis. Subtract that value from 180 to find the reference from the positive x axis
180 - 55=125
A plane flies on a bearing of 120 degrees at a constant speed of 550 km/h. If the velocity of the wind is 50 km/h on a bearing 220 degrees, what is the velocity of the plane with respect to the ground?
Textbook Answer: 543.5 km/h at a bearing of 125.2 degrees
My answer: 543.6 km/h at a bearing of 175 degrees
My work:
Let vector w represent 50 km/h
Let vector v represent 550 km/h
Let vector r represent the resultant
I'm using component vectors. . .
w = (50cos220 , 50sin220)
w = (-38.3 , -32.1)
v = (550cos120 , 550sin120)
v = (-275 , 476.3)
r = (-38.3 , -32.1) + (-275 , 476.3)
r = (-313.3 , 444.2)
To find the resultant:
| r | = (-313.3)^2 + (444.2)^2
| r | = (sqrt)295 470.53
| r | = 543.6 km/h
To find the angle:
tanx = 444.2/-313.3
x = 55 degrees
120 + 55 = 175 (To find the bearing)
----------------What did I do wrong? How can I get the 125 degree instead of 175 degrees?
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