Pilot's Flight Path Calculations

The video tutorial explains how to solve an application problem using the Law of Cosines. A pilot flies in two directions, making a course correction, and the task is to find the distance from the starting point. The problem is set up as a triangle, and distances are calculated based on speed and time. The angle is determined using the course correction, and the Law of Cosines is applied to find the unknown side. The final calculation reveals the distance traveled by the plane.

What is the main mathematical concept used to solve the pilot's flight path problem?

• Pythagorean Theorem

• Law of Cosines

• Trigonometric Identities

• Law of Sines

How long does the pilot fly in the first direction?

• 1 hour and 30 minutes

• 2 hours and 30 minutes

• 2 hours

• 1 hour

What is the speed of the plane during the flight?

• 450 miles per hour

• 550 miles per hour

• 400 miles per hour

• 500 miles per hour

What is the angle of course correction made by the pilot?

• 12 degrees

• 10 degrees

• 8 degrees

• 5 degrees

What is the total angle inside the triangle after the course correction?

• 176 degrees

• 172 degrees

• 170 degrees

• 174 degrees

Which side of the triangle is being calculated using the Law of Cosines?

• Side B

• Side A

• Side C

• Side X

What is the formula used to calculate the distance X using the Law of Cosines?

• X^2 = B^2 + C^2 - 2BC sin(A)

• X^2 = A^2 + C^2 - 2AC cos(B)

• X^2 = B^2 + C^2 - 2BC cos(A)

• X^2 = A^2 + B^2 - 2AB cos(C)

What is the calculated value of X squared before taking the square root?

• 2,468,801.7

• 2,468,801

• 2,468,800.7

• 2,468,800

What is the approximate distance the plane is from the starting point?

• 1,571 miles

• 1,573 miles

• 1,570 miles

• 1,572 miles

Why is only the principal square root considered in the final calculation?

• Because it is easier to compute

• Because it simplifies the calculation

• Because distance cannot be negative

• Because it is a convention