Find Location of Aeroplane After 60km Travel

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the location of an aeroplane after it has traveled 60 km, starting from the point (1,2,0) and moving in the direction of the vector (-11,10,2). Participants are exploring the mathematical approach to solve this problem, which involves vector calculations and distance formulas.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss finding a vector in the direction of the aeroplane's movement and calculating its length. There are attempts to apply vector subtraction and scaling to determine the new position after traveling 60 km. Some participants express confusion about the setup and calculations, while others suggest different methods for arriving at the solution.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes various attempts to clarify the problem and explore different mathematical approaches. Some participants have provided guidance on how to find the direction vector and scale it, while others are questioning the interpretations and calculations being made. There is no explicit consensus on the best method yet, but productive dialogue is ongoing.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework problem, which may limit the information available and the methods they can use. There is also a mention of potential misinterpretation regarding the direction of travel and the starting point.

vorcil
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An aeroplane takes off from (1,2,0) and climbs in the direction (-11,10,2)

part a) how close does the areo plane get to the top of an aerial mast at (0,2,1)

AB=b-a = (0,2,1)-(1,2,0) = (-1,0,1)

D(hat)= (-11,10,2)/15

AB.D(hat) = (11/15 + 2/15 = 13/15

root(AB - AB.D(hat)^2 )= root(2 - (13/15)^2)

=root(281)/15=1.1175
this is correct

-----
This is the part I'm having trouble with
PARTB)

Find the location of the areoplane after it has traveled 60km

60^2 = AB-AB.D(hat)
A = (1,2,0) B =(x,y,z)

what to do now?
 
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vorcil said:
An aeroplane takes off from (1,2,0) and climbs in the direction (-11,10,2)

Find the location of the areoplane after it has traveled 60km

60^2 = AB-AB.D(hat)
A = (1,2,0) B =(x,y,z)

what to do now?

I don't understand what you're trying to do here. You can find a vector in the direction
of movement by subtracting (1,2,0) from (-11,10,2).
Then find the length of this vector and find a number to multiply the vector with, to
get the length equal to 60.
Finally add the vector to the starting point
 
willem2 said:
I don't understand what you're trying to do here. You can find a vector in the direction
of movement by subtracting (1,2,0) from (-11,10,2).
Then find the length of this vector and find a number to multiply the vector with, to
get the length equal to 60.
Finally add the vector to the starting point

Sorry I don't understand how you're way works any better!

subtracting 1,2,0 from -11,10,2?
1,2,0 is a point
-11,10,2 is the direction of the line from that point

What do i do!

-

1,2,0 - making up another point with 10(1,2,0)
a=1,2,0 b=10,20,0
AB=b-a (9,18,0)
|AB| = 20.124

60/20.124 = 2.981

2.981(9,18,0) = (26.83,53.66,0)

This is me trying to use your method above.

-

The awnser is -43,32,8 but how do i get to it!

-
 
Last edited:
parametric equation(1,2,0)+t(-11,10,2)
components squared (1-11t)^2,(2+10t)^2+(2t^2) = 60^2

(1-11t)(1-11t) = (1-22t+121t^2)
(2+10t)(2+10t) =(4+40t+100t^2)
(4t^2)

sum the parts

t+18t+225t^2 = 60^2
using the quadratic formula

I get
t=3.955
i'm rounding to 4

substituting
1-11t = x
2+10t = y
2t=z

1-44=-43
2+40=42
=8
(-43,42,8)

which is right according to the answers XD
 
Sorry, I misread the question I tought the airplane went from (1,2,0) in the direction of the point (-11,10,2), but (-11,10,2) is already the direction of the line of travel.

You can find the length of (-11,10,2) and multiply this vector by (60/length)
to make its length equal to 60. Finally add it to the starting point.
If you do this you get the exact solution without any unjustified rounding of 3.955 to 4.
What you calculate, is the distance from (0,0,0) but what is asked is the distance travelled, so the distance from the starting point (1,2,0)
 

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