Thread: Trig Word Problem

Two airplanes leave the same airport in opposite directions. At 2 pm the angle of elevation from the airport to the first plane is 28 degrees and to the second plane is 19 degrees. The elevation of the first plane is 9km and the second plance is 7.2km. Find the air distance between the two airplanes.

Much help is appreciated. Thanks =]

Originally Posted by ferken

Two airplanes leave the same airport in opposite directions. At 2 pm the angle of elevation from the airport to the first plane is 28 degrees and to the second plane is 19 degrees. The elevation of the first plane is 9km and the second plance is 7.2km. Find the air distance between the two airplanes.

Much help is appreciated. Thanks =]

Solve for a and b using the diagram and then use the Law of Cosines to find the distance between the two planes

$\displaystyle c^2=a^2+b^2-2ab\cos(\theta)$

I hope this helps