Question

a ship is 45 miles east and 30 miles south of port. if the captain wants to sail directly to south port, what beating sold be taken

Answer 1

Well
East
45 miles > > > >
< v
< v 30 miles South
North < v
West < Δ= ship

A right angle is formed, so we use Pythagoras.


`45 ^(2) +30 ^(2)=2925`

`√(2925)=54.08`

Therefore, the route should be 54 miles North West

Answer 2

probaly you meant 'what bearing should be taken'

so use pythagorean theorem
c=distance from position to south port
b=45
a=30

a^2=B^2=c^2
30^2+45^2=c^2
900+2025=c^2
2925=c^2
square root of both sides
15 times √13
aprox
54.08
54.1
opposite of east=west
opposite of south=north

bearing=
54.1 miles north-west