What's the Speed of the Bird Flying at a 60-Degree Angle?

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SUMMARY

The speed of the bird flying at a 60-degree angle is calculated to be 240 meters per hour. This conclusion is derived from the relationship between the man's speed of 120 meters per hour and the angle of elevation using trigonometric principles. By applying the tangent function and the Pythagorean theorem, the solution confirms that the bird's speed can be determined through vector analysis and triangle properties, specifically leveraging the characteristics of 30-60-90 triangles.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic trigonometry, specifically tangent and Pythagorean theorem.
  • Familiarity with vector analysis in physics.
  • Knowledge of 30-60-90 triangle properties.
  • Ability to interpret and solve problems involving angles and speeds.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of 30-60-90 triangles in depth.
  • Learn about vector decomposition in physics.
  • Explore advanced trigonometric functions and their applications.
  • Practice solving real-world problems involving angles and speeds.
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics or mathematics, educators teaching trigonometry, and anyone interested in applying vector analysis to real-world scenarios.

shehri
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Homework Statement


speed of man=120m/h
angle of bird flight with ground=60 degrees.

Homework Equations


A man on the ground sees a bird flying at angle of 60 degrees with horizontal.He started running at 120m/hour,is able to stay directly below the bird.What's bird speed?

The Attempt at a Solution



I've vainly tried to solve it by using vectors.But I'm uncertain how it'd be solved?
 
Last edited:
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draw a triangle. the base is 120 for the man. if they are moving to the right, the angle is 60 upward to the right. the tangent of that angle is tan 60 = x/120. Therefore the equation is 120 tan 60 = x = 120 radical 3. then do Pythagorean theorem to find the hypotenuse (or flight of the bird) is 240.
( if you know the way 30-60-90 triangles work, you wouldn't need all that work)
 
Thanks for nice help.U've pointed me in the right direction.
 

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