Answer:
The first person is about 4327.76 feet away from the island.
Step-by-step explanation:
We can draw a diagram to represent the situation. This is attached below.
Essentially, we want to find the value of x.
We are given that ∠A is 37° and ∠B is 55°.
The interior angles of a triangle must total 180°. Hence:
[tex]m\angle A+m\angle B+m\angle C=180[/tex]
Substitute:
[tex](37)+(55)+m\angle C=180[/tex]
Thus:
[tex]\displaystyle m\angle C=88^\circ[/tex]
We are also given that the length of the bridge is 5,280 feet. Since we want to find x, we can use the Law of Sines:
[tex]\displaystyle \frac{\sin(A)}{a}=\frac{\sin(B)}{b}=\frac{\sin(C)}{c}[/tex]
The variables do not really matter. It is more important that we align the angles with their respective (i.e. opposite) sides.
The respective side to ∠C is AB which measures 5280.
The respective angle to x is ∠B, which is 55°.
Hence:
[tex]\displaystyle \frac{\sin(55)}{x}=\frac{\sin(88)}{5280}[/tex]
Solve for x. Cross-multiply:
[tex]x\sin(88)=5280\sin(55)[/tex]
Thus:
[tex]\displaystyle x=\frac{5280\sin(55)}{\sin(88)}[/tex]
Use a calculator:
[tex]\displaystyle x\approx 4327.76\text{ feet}[/tex]
The first person is about 4327.76 feet away from the island.
