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To solve real-world problems using

trigonometry

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In certain navigation or surveying problems, the

direction, or bearing, from a point P to a point Q
is specified by stating the acute angle that segment
PQ makes with the north-south line through P. We
also state whether Q is north or south and east or
west of P.
N
N70W

70

25

55

40

S40W

N25E

S55E

Answer Exer 6.7 #62

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In air navigation, directions and bearings are

specified by measuring from the north in a
clockwise direction. In this case, a positive angle is
assigned to the angle instead of the negative
measure to which we are accustomed for clockwise
rotations.
N

Q
R
40

300

Two ships leave port at the same time,

one ship sailing in the direction 23
at a speed of 11 / and the second
ship sailing in direction 67 at
15 / . Approximate the bearing
from the second ship to the first, one
hour later.

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1.

A boat is 36 km due north of lighthouse A.

Lighthouse B has a bearing of 90 from
lighthouse A. If the lighthouses are 53 km
apart, find the bearing of lighthouse B from the
boat and the distance from lighthouse B to the
boat.

2.

Two ships leave the same port at 9 AM. The

first ship sails towards Europe on a 54 course
at a constant rate of 36 mi/h. The second ship,
with a tropical destination, sails on a 144
course at a constant speed of 42 mi/h. Find the
distance between the ships at 1 PM.

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3.

A pilot of a plane travelling on a course of

N30E sights the San Francisco
International Airport (West of North
direction). The pilots line of sight forms a
right angle with the planes line of travel.
Find the bearing of the airport.

4.

Follow up: After traveling 65 mi on the same

course, the new bearing of the airport from
the plane is 238. Find the distance from the
plane to San Francisco International Airport.

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1.

2.

A ship leaves its home port and sails on a

bearing of S 6150 E. Another ship leaves the
same port at the same time and sails on a
bearing of N 2810 E. If the first ship sails at
24.0 mph and the second sails at 28.0 mph,
find the distance between the two ships after 4
hours.
A boat is 23 miles due West of lighthouse A.
Lighthouse B is 14 miles due North of
lighthouse A. Find the bearing of lighthouse B
from the boat and the distance from
lighthouse B to the boat.