Balloon problem

ladyazpy

New member
Joined
Mar 1, 2005
Messages
31
the tracking station are 500 miles apart measure angles of elevatio of a weather balloon to be 55 degrees and 82 degrees as indicated. How high is the balloon at the time of the measurements?
 
gene

can you please explain why i hav to subtract the x value on the second equation. i thought i have to add 500
 
I assumed the picture was
Code:
           B
          /|\
         / |  \
        /  |    \
       /   |      \
      /    |h       \
     /     |          \
 82°/______|____________\ 55°
   |<-----500---------->|
   |<500-x>|<---x------>|
with the balloon between the stations. If it is not between them but off to the side and in line with them then you would add the x. Or the top view could even be
Code:
         B


   s1<--500-->s2
And it would be an entirely different problem.
 
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