Question

Two Forest Ranger stations are located 9.8 miles apart. They both receive the same distress call. They determine that from Ranger Station 1 the distress call is at an angle of 46° and from Ranger Station 2 it is at angle of 52°. Which ranger station is closer to the distress call and by how much?

Answer 1

Ranger station 2 is closer by 3.47 miles

Explanation:

tan(46)=O/9.8

O (ranger station 2 to distress call)=10.15 miles

sin(46)=9.8/H

H (ranger station 1 to distress call)=13.62 miles

13.62-10.15=3.47 miles

So, ranger station 2 is closer by 3.47 miles