Distance of Ship From Shore

[mathdad]

Use the fact that the radius of Earth is 3960 miles and 1 mile is 5280 feet.

A person who is 6 feet tall is standing on a beach in Florida, and looks out on the Atlantic Ocean, suddenly, a ship appears on the horizon. How far is the ship from shore?

Someone suggested to use the following set up:

Let d = distance of ship from shore.

Let r = radius of Earrh

Let m = distance of a mile in feet.

Let h = height of the observation deck above ground level.

d^2 + r^2 = [(r + (h/m)]^2

You say?

 

[Dr.Peterson]

Use the fact that the radius of Earth is 3960 miles and 1 mile is 5280 feet.

A person who is 6 feet tall is standing on a beach in Florida, and looks out on the Atlantic Ocean, suddenly, a ship appears on the horizon. How far is the ship from shore?

Someone suggested to use the following set up:

Let d = distance of ship from shore.

Let r = radius of Earrh

Let m = distance of a mile in feet.

Let h = height of the observation deck above ground level.

d^2 + r^2 = [(r + (h/m)]^2

You say?

I suggest you continue the discussion with the person who suggested this, rather than moving it here. It isn't at all clear how much of this you understand, and would be able to come up with yourself. That's what we want to know in order to help a student. (Yes, you are a student -- someone who is studying -- even though you aren't in school.)

But pretending this is your own work, there are some things to fix before anyone can call it correct:

• State the units for each variable.
• Define "observation deck".
• Define what it means for a ship to "appear on the horizon": What do you need to be able to see?
• Consider why you haven't use the 6-foot height in the calculation.

A picture would be helpful.

 

[mathdad]

I suggest you continue the discussion with the person who suggested this, rather than moving it here. It isn't at all clear how much of this you understand, and would be able to come up with yourself. That's what we want to know in order to help a student. (Yes, you are a student -- someone who is studying -- even though you aren't in school.)

But pretending this is your own work, there are some things to fix before anyone can call it correct:

• State the units for each variable.
• Define "observation deck".
• Define what it means for a ship to "appear on the horizon": What do you need to be able to see?
• Consider why you haven't use the 6-foot height in the calculation.

A picture would be helpful.

I don't pretend the questions are mine. I don't pretend anything is mine unless it is clearly stated. When someone else lends a helping hand, I always give credit to the other person(s). The fact that you have maintained professionalism in all your replies means the world to me.

 

[Dr.Peterson]

I don't pretend the questions are mine. I don't pretend anything is mine unless it is clearly stated.

You misunderstand what I said. I said, let's pretend that you wrote this, and answer as I would in that case. I'm pretending, not you!

But then I asked you to respond. Please do so! (Or ask the author on the other site, and then keep the discussion there.)

I hope you recognize the (too?) gentle rebuke in my first paragraph. If you've asked a question on one site, please keep it on that site, rather than bringing us into it. That feels like a waste of our time.

 

[Dr.Peterson]

And now I am joining the call for banning. This is not what the site is for. Clearly you are not here for math.

If you want others to ignore your misbehavior, then you need to learn to control your own reactions. I've tried to give you grace, giving you a chance to grow up, but you haven't. Bye.