A sailboat sets out from the U.S. side of Lake Erie

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A sailboat departing from the U.S. side of Lake Erie aimed for a point 90.0 km north but ended up 50.0 km east of the starting point. To reach the original destination, the sailor needs to determine the distance and direction from the current position. The solution involves visualizing the situation as a right triangle, where the final path is the hypotenuse. The correct direction to sail is 60.9 degrees north of west, which corresponds to the second quadrant. Clarification on vector direction helped the sailor realize the setup was correct and not overly complicated.
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Homework Statement


A sailboat sets out from the U.S. side of Lake Erie for a point on the Canadian side, 90.0 km due north. The sailor, however, ends up 50.0 km due east of the starting point. (a) How far, and (b) in what direction must the sailor now sail to reach the original destination?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I just need help setting up the vector picture because I know the answer ends up in quadrant 2. There is a picture below I want to know if i am setting it up right.
 

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HappyFlower said:

Homework Statement


A sailboat sets out from the U.S. side of Lake Erie for a point on the Canadian side, 90.0 km due north. The sailor, however, ends up 50.0 km due east of the starting point. (a) How far, and (b) in what direction must the sailor now sail to reach the original destination?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I just need help setting up the vector picture because I know the answer ends up in quadrant 2. There is a picture below I want to know if i am setting it up right.
Looks like you started it right. So the final path will be the hypotenuse of that triangle, right?
 
berkeman said:
Looks like you started it right. So the final path will be the hypotenuse of that triangle, right?
the answer for b as 60.9 degrees north of west what i don't understand is the direction as it ends up in the second quadrant.
 
HappyFlower said:
the answer for b as 60.9 degrees north of west what i don't understand is the direction as it ends up in the second quadrant.
Draw your final vector from the current position of the boat at the right, up to the final position of the boat at the top. That vector points up and left... :smile:
 
berkeman said:
Draw your final vector from the current position of the boat at the right, up to the final position of the boat at the top. That vector points up and left... :smile:

Thanks i think i was overthinking it -,-.
 
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