How Do You Solve the Relative Motion Problem Between Mary and Jane?

[wick85]

1. Two soccer players, Mary and Jane, begin running from nearly the same point at the same time. Mary runs in an easterly direction at 4.45 m/s, while Jane takes off in a direction 63.6o north of east at 5.12 m/s

How long is it before they are 24.3 m apart?

How far apart are they after 4.09 s?

I've tried setting up this equation so many times, but I'm getting no where. I know I cannot use the Pythagorean Theorem so what do I need to do?

 

[aeroengineer]

Think of the sides as velocity*time ratios. Then use trigonometry to find the third side's ratio. Use d=rt to find your answers.

 

[ƒ(x)]

Law of Sines or Cosines perhaps?

 

[wick85]

I thought you could only use those rules in a right triangle where the other two sides were 45 degrees. one of the sides of this right triangle is 63.6 degrees.

I know the problem should be easy, but it keeps fooling me