Finding bearing and position vectors of moving ships

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The discussion focuses on calculating the bearing and position vectors of two ships, S and R, moving with constant velocities. Ship S travels at a velocity of (2i−3j) km/h, while ship R moves at 6i km/h. The bearing of ship S is determined to be 56.3 degrees. The position vectors for both ships at time t are expressed as s = 8i + (2i−3j)t for ship S and r = 6ti for ship R. The correct value of T, when ship R is due north-east of ship S, is established as T = 8 hours.

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In this question the unit vectors i and j are due east and north respectively and position vectors are given with respect to a fixed origin O.

A ship S is moving with constant velocity (2i−3j) km h−1 and a ship R is moving with constant velocity 6i km h−1.

a Find the bearing along which S is moving.

At noon S is at the point with position vector 8i km and R is at O. At time t hours after noon, the position vectors of S and T are s km and r km respectively.

b Find s and r, in terms of t.

At time T hours, R is due north-east of S. Find

c the value of T,

d the distance between S and R at time T hours.


I need help with part c)

Answer to a) 56.3, b) s=8i+(2i−3j)t - r=6ti

For part c I'm confused; if R is due south east of S, would it not mean the i and j components would be the same? Well it's wrong and if I do go on to equate the i and j components then I get T = 2, which is incorrect - the right answer is T = 8.

Cheers
 
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phospho said:
In this question the unit vectors i and j are due east and north respectively and position vectors are given with respect to a fixed origin O.

A ship S is moving with constant velocity (2i−3j) km h−1 and a ship R is moving with constant velocity 6i km h−1.

a Find the bearing along which S is moving.

At noon S is at the point with position vector 8i km and R is at O. At time t hours after noon, the position vectors of S and T are s km and r km respectively.

b Find s and r, in terms of t.

At time T hours, R is due north-east of S. Find

c the value of T,

d the distance between S and R at time T hours.


I need help with part c)

Answer to a) 56.3, b) s=8i+(2i−3j)t - r=6ti

For part c I'm confused; if R is due south east of S, would it not mean the i and j components would be the same? Well it's wrong and if I do go on to equate the i and j components then I get T = 2, which is incorrect - the right answer is T = 8.

Cheers

R is due north-east of S. The i and j components of what are equal?

ehild
 
ehild said:
R is due north-east of S. The i and j components of what are equal?

ehild

S and R I think
 

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