A ship sailing on a course bearing 036 degrees is 5500 metres due south of a lighthouse.If the ship continues on this course,what is the closest distance the ship will come to the lighthouse?

Answer 1

Draw a figure showing the 5500 m north-south line, the ship's path 36 degrees east of north, and the closest approach. They form a right triangle.

Closest distance = 5500 sin36
= 3233 meters

Answer 2

3233m