Math Problem Statement

A plane is flying on a bearing of 260 degrees at 430 mph. It's velocity in component form is -423.467,-74.669. At the same time, there is a wind blowing at a bearing of 30 degrees at 60mph. Find the ground speed of the plane.

Solution

To find the ground speed of the plane, we first need to determine the velocity components of the wind and then combine them with the velocity components of the plane.

  1. Convert the wind's bearing to standard position: A bearing of 30 degrees means the angle is measured clockwise from the north. In standard position, this corresponds to an angle of 3030^\circ (i.e., the same angle).

  2. Calculate the wind's velocity components: Vwind,x=60cos(30)=603251.961V_{\text{wind}, x} = 60 \cdot \cos(30^\circ) = 60 \cdot \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \approx 51.961 Vwind,y=60sin(30)=6012=30V_{\text{wind}, y} = 60 \cdot \sin(30^\circ) = 60 \cdot \frac{1}{2} = 30 Thus, the wind's velocity in component form is approximately (51.961,30)(51.961, 30).

  3. Add the plane's velocity components to the wind's components: Vground,x=423.467+51.961371.506V_{\text{ground}, x} = -423.467 + 51.961 \approx -371.506 Vground,y=74.669+3044.669V_{\text{ground}, y} = -74.669 + 30 \approx -44.669

  4. Calculate the ground speed (magnitude of the ground velocity): Ground speed=Vground,x2+Vground,y2\text{Ground speed} = \sqrt{V_{\text{ground}, x}^2 + V_{\text{ground}, y}^2} =(371.506)2+(44.669)2138,205.34+1,993.42140,198.76374.45 mph= \sqrt{(-371.506)^2 + (-44.669)^2} \approx \sqrt{138,205.34 + 1,993.42} \approx \sqrt{140,198.76} \approx 374.45 \text{ mph}

Therefore, the ground speed of the plane is approximately 374.45 mph.

Would you like more details on any specific part of the calculations, or do you have any questions? Here are some related questions to consider:

  1. How do you convert bearings to standard angles?
  2. What are the implications of wind on flight paths?
  3. How do you calculate velocity components for different angles?
  4. Why is it important to find ground speed in aviation?
  5. How would changes in wind speed affect the ground speed?

Tip: Always ensure to convert angles correctly when dealing with bearings and standard position.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Vector Addition
Trigonometry
Velocity Components

Formulas

V_{wind, x} = V_{wind} * cos(bearing)
V_{wind, y} = V_{wind} * sin(bearing)
V_{ground, x} = V_{plane, x} + V_{wind, x}
V_{ground, y} = V_{plane, y} + V_{wind, y}
Ground speed = sqrt(V_{ground, x}^2 + V_{ground, y}^2)

Theorems

Pythagorean Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12