Physics Problem. I must find the horizontal distance x between the 2 baloons.

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SUMMARY

The problem involves calculating the horizontal distance (x) between two hot-air balloons positioned at heights of 48.2 meters (left) and 61.0 meters (right). A person in the left balloon observes the right balloon at an angle of 13.3 degrees above the horizontal. The correct approach involves using trigonometric functions, specifically the tangent function, to find the distance. The final calculated distance x is 54.1 meters.

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  • Familiarity with inverse trigonometric functions.
  • Ability to perform basic arithmetic operations involving subtraction and division.
  • Knowledge of how to apply trigonometric ratios to right triangles.
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Homework Statement


The two hot-air baloons in the drawing are 48.2(Left) and 61.0(right) m above the ground. A person in the left balloon observes that the right balloon is 13.3 degrees above the horizontal. What is the Horizontal distance x between balloon the two baloons

Left Air balloon= 48.2 meters
Right Air balloon= 61.0 meters
The angle above the horizontal is 13.3 degrees

Homework Equations


Definition of Sin, Cos, and Tan, and the inverse trigonometric functions. I'm not sure on the equation I should use.


The Attempt at a Solution


I'm not sure on where I should start.
 
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Here is what I did. I added 48.2 meters and 61.0 meters and then I divided them by 2 and I got 54.6 meters.
 
Last edited:
Ok this problem was actually simple because all I had to do was subtract 61.0-48.2=12.8, and I found out the height of the opposite side. Then I used the definition of Tan and I divided 12.8/tan(13.3)=54.1 meters, and that's how far the distance x was.
 

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