Question

A helicopter is hovering at a point lying in the same vertical plane as two other points P and Q on the horizontal ground. Its distances from P and Q are 850 m and 1200 m respectively. Given that the angle of elevation from Q is 43 0, find PQ correct to 3 significant figures.

Answer 1

Answer:

PQ=   1642.340 m

  Step-by-step explanation:

Construct DA perpendicular to PQ

In triangle AQD

DQ= 850 m  

then AQ= 850cos43°= 621.650 m

AD= 850sin43° = 579.698 m

Now to find AP we have to apply Pythagoras theorem in APD  

PD^2 =  AD^2+AP^2

1200^2=579.698^2+AP^2

AP=  1020.690 m

therefore, PQ= AP+ AQ

= 1020.690+621.650=  1642.340 m