Problem

Starting at point A, a ship sails $18.4 \mathrm{~km}$ on a bearing of $191^{\circ}$, then turns and sails $47.4 \mathrm{~km}$ on a bearing of $319^{\circ}$. Find the distance of the ship from point A. The distance is $\square \mathrm{km}$. (Simplify your answer. Type an integer or decimal rounded to the nearest tenth as needed.)

Solution

Step 1 :Translate the problem into a triangle with sides of lengths 18.4 km and 47.4 km and an angle of 128 degrees between them (since 319 - 191 = 128).

Step 2 :Use the law of cosines to find the length of the third side of the triangle, which represents the distance of the ship from point A. The law of cosines states that for any triangle with sides of lengths a, b, and c and an angle γ between sides a and b, the following equation holds: \(c² = a² + b² - 2ab \cos(γ)\).

Step 3 :Substitute the given values into the equation: \(c² = (18.4)² + (47.4)² - 2(18.4)(47.4) \cos(128)\).

Step 4 :Solve the equation to find the value of c, which represents the distance of the ship from point A.

Step 5 :Final Answer: The distance of the ship from point A is \(\boxed{60.5}\) km.

From Solvely APP
Source: https://solvelyapp.com/problems/19598/

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