Math  /  Geometry

QuestionApplications Draw well labeled diagrams if one is not provided. Show ALL WORK and FORMULAS! /a) Mr. Jonsen is trying to hit his golf ball between two trees. He estimates the distances shown. Within what angle must Mr. Jensen make his shot, in order to pass between the trees? Round to the nearest tenth of a degree.

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? We need to find the angle formed at the golfer's position, between the lines of sight to the two trees. Watch out! Remember, we're looking for the angle at the golfer's position, not any other angle in the triangle!

STEP 2

1. Set up the problem
2. Calculate the angle

STEP 3

Imagine a triangle with the golfer at one vertex and the two trees at the other two vertices.
The distance between the trees is the side opposite to the golfer's angle.

STEP 4

We know the distance between the trees (2020 meters) and the distances from the golfer to each tree (7878 meters and 8080 meters).

STEP 5

Since we know three sides of the triangle, we can use the Law of Cosines to find the angle.

STEP 6

The Law of Cosines states: c2=a2+b22abcos(C)c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2 \cdot a \cdot b \cdot \cos(C), where cc is the side opposite angle CC, and aa and bb are the other two sides.

STEP 7

In our case, let a=78a = 78, b=80b = 80, and c=20c = 20.
We want to find angle CC.
So, we have: 202=782+80227880cos(C)20^2 = 78^2 + 80^2 - 2 \cdot 78 \cdot 80 \cdot \cos(C)

STEP 8

400=6084+640012480cos(C)400 = 6084 + 6400 - 12480 \cdot \cos(C) 400=1248412480cos(C)400 = 12484 - 12480 \cdot \cos(C)

STEP 9

To isolate the cosine term, we subtract 1248412484 from both sides: 40012484=12480cos(C)400 - 12484 = -12480 \cdot \cos(C) 12084=12480cos(C)-12084 = -12480 \cdot \cos(C)

STEP 10

Now, divide both sides by 12480-12480 to solve for cos(C)\cos(C): cos(C)=1208412480\cos(C) = \frac{-12084}{-12480} cos(C)0.968269230769\cos(C) \approx 0.968269230769

STEP 11

Finally, take the inverse cosine (arccos) of both sides to find angle CC: C=arccos(0.968269230769)C = \arccos(0.968269230769) C14.6C \approx 14.6^\circ

STEP 12

Mr. Jensen must hit his golf ball within an angle of approximately **14.614.6 degrees** to pass between the trees.

Was this helpful?

Studdy solves anything!

banner

Start learning now

Download Studdy AI Tutor now. Learn with ease and get all help you need to be successful at school.

ParentsInfluencer programContactPolicyTerms
TwitterInstagramFacebookTikTokDiscord