Question

A satellite is 24,400 miles from the horizon of Earth. Earth’s radius is about 4,000 miles. Find the approximate distance the satellite is from the point directly below it on Earth’s surface. The diagram is not to scale.

Answer 1

Answer: There are several information's already given in the question. It will be easier to get the answer, if we write all the details down first.

AB = 13200 miles

AO = 4000 miles

OB = 4000 miles

Let us assume CB = x

Then

(x + 4000)^2 = (13200)^2 + (4000)^2

x = sqrt(13200^2 + 4000^2) - 4000

= 13793 - 4000

= 9793 miles.

From the above deduction, it can be concluded that the correct option among all the options that are given in the question is the third option.