# Thread: Bearing problem: Sine and cosine

1. ## Bearing problem: Sine and cosine

Two ship leave a port at the same time. The first ship sails on a course of 35° at 15 knots, while the second ship sails on a course of 125° at 20 knots. Find after 2 hours (a)distance between the ship (b)the bearing from the first ship to the second (c) and the bearing from the second ship to the first.

2. ## Re: Bearing problem: Sine and cosine

Well if the first ship leaves at a 35 degree angle relevant to the port and the 2nd ship leaves at a 125 degree angle relevant to the port, then the angle on the triangle which the ships form, becomes 90 degrees (125-35). The distance after 2 hours on the first ship is 30 knots and the 2nd ship has sailed 40 knots.

Since you have a right triangle, you can now use the Pythagorean theorem to show that the distance between the ships is $\sqrt{30^2+40^2}$

Now you can get the bearings or the other angles of the triangle by using (arc)trig functions.

$tan^{-1}\left(\frac{40}{30}\right)=53.13$. Now we can use: $180-53.13-90=36.87$.

3. ## Re: Bearing problem: Sine and cosine

That was quick! Thank you very much I understood your solution completely Never thought i would get a reply so fast

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### two ships leave a port at the same time the first ship sails on a bearing of

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