Math Problem Statement

To indirectly measure the distance across a river, Sebastian stands on one side of the river and uses sight-lines to a landmark on the opposite bank. Sebastian draws the diagram below to show the lengths and angles that he measured. Find PR, the distance across the river. Round your answer to the nearest foot.

Solution

In this problem, we are tasked with finding the distance PRPR, which is across the river.

Given Information:

  • OE=275ftOE = 275 \, \text{ft}
  • RE=210ftRE = 210 \, \text{ft}
  • OP=115ftOP = 115 \, \text{ft}
  • The angle POR\angle POR is right-angled, so POR\triangle POR is a right triangle.

Since POR\triangle POR is a right triangle, we can use the Pythagorean Theorem to calculate the distance PRPR, which is the hypotenuse of the triangle.

Pythagorean Theorem:

PR2=OP2+OR2PR^2 = OP^2 + OR^2

We are given OP=115ftOP = 115 \, \text{ft}, but we do not have OROR directly. However, we can use ORE\triangle ORE, which is a right triangle, to find OROR using the Pythagorean Theorem again.

Step 1: Find OROR using ORE\triangle ORE

OR2+RE2=OE2OR^2 + RE^2 = OE^2 OR2+(210)2=(275)2OR^2 + (210)^2 = (275)^2 OR2+44100=75625OR^2 + 44100 = 75625 OR2=7562544100=31525OR^2 = 75625 - 44100 = 31525 OR=31525177.58ftOR = \sqrt{31525} \approx 177.58 \, \text{ft}

Step 2: Find PRPR using POR\triangle POR

Now that we have OROR, we can find PRPR. PR2=OP2+OR2PR^2 = OP^2 + OR^2 PR2=(115)2+(177.58)2PR^2 = (115)^2 + (177.58)^2 PR2=13225+31525PR^2 = 13225 + 31525 PR2=44750PR^2 = 44750 PR=44750211.57ftPR = \sqrt{44750} \approx 211.57 \, \text{ft}

Final Answer:

The distance across the river, PRPR, is approximately 212 feet when rounded to the nearest foot.

Would you like more details on any step?

Here are 5 related questions:

  1. How can the Law of Sines or Cosines be used to solve a similar problem?
  2. What other methods can be used to measure distances across rivers or obstacles?
  3. How would errors in the measurements affect the final result?
  4. How would you apply trigonometry to find angles in this scenario?
  5. Can you solve for another side of the triangle if more angles were given?

Tip: In right-angle triangle problems, always check if you can apply the Pythagorean theorem before other trigonometric methods.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Right Triangles
Pythagorean Theorem

Formulas

PR² = OP² + OR²
OR² + RE² = OE²

Theorems

Pythagorean Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12