Draw a diagram, with triangle MCB where
M is Martina
C is Carl
B is Balloon
Let P be the base of the altitude from B to MC
MP/7.8 = cos 36°
BP/7.8 = sin 36°
BP^2 + PC^2 = 5.9^2
we want MC = MP+PC
Plug and chug
Martina and Carl are part of a team that is studying weather patterns. The team is about to launch a weather balloon to collect data. Martina's rope is 7.8 m long and makes an angle of 36.0 deg with the ground. Carl's rope is 5.9 m long. Assuming that Martina and Carl form a triangle in a vertical plabne with the weather balloon, what is the distance between Martina and Carl, to the nearest tenth of a meter?
1 answer