Solve.
-To find the distance between two small towns, an electronic distance measuring (EDM) instrument is placed on a hill from which both towns are visible. The distance from the EDM to the towns is 2.6 miles and 2.7 miles and
The angle between the two lines of sight is 41°. Find the distance between the towns to the nearest tenth of a
Mile.
A) 5.0 mi
B) 1.9 mi
C) 4.4 mi
D) 3.0 mi

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The distance between the two towns can be found using the Law of Cosines, which in this context is $c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2ab\cos(C)$, where $a$ and $b$ are the distances from the EDM to the towns (2.6 miles and 2.7 miles), $C$ is the angle between the lines of sight (41°), and $c$ is the distance between the towns we want to find. Plugging in the values, we get $c \approx 1.9$ miles when solved, rounding to the nearest tenth.

Solve. -To Find the Distance Between Two Small Towns, an Electronic