Vectors

[Dinky_Bell]

I understand most of the Vectors my class has done before...But that is preaty much blown out the window when its a word problem.

If anyone can help, please do ....i would greatly appreciate it.

13. A helicopter is hoverin at 3000 meters directly over the eastern perimeter of a secret Air Force installation. The eastern perimeter is 5000 meters from the installation headquarters. the helicopter receives a transmission from headquarters that a UFO has been sighted at 7500 metters directly over the installation's western perimeter, which is 9000 meters from headquarters. How far must the helicopter travel to intercept the UFO?

 

[soroban]

Hello, Dinky_Bell!

I wouldn't call this a Vector Problem at all . . . it's Algebra I.
. . Did you bother to make a sketch?

13. A helicopter is hovering at 3000 m directly over the eastern perimeter of a secret AF installation.
The eastern perimeter is 5000 m from the installation HQs.
The helicopter receives a transmission from HQ that a UFO has been sighted
at 7500 m directly over the installation's western perimeter, 9000 m from HQ.
How far must the helicopter travel to intercept the UFO?

    U *
      |
 4500 |
      |
      + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - * H
      |                             |
 3000 |                             | 3000
      |                             | 
      * - - - - - - - * - - - - - - *
      W     9000      Q    5000     E

The helicopter is at \(\displaystyle H\), 3000 m over \(\displaystyle E\), the eastern perimeter, 5000 m east of HQ at \(\displaystyle Q\).
The UFO is at \(\displaystyle U\), 7500 m over \(\displaystyle W\), the western perimeter, 9000 m west of \(\displaystyle Q\).

We are asked to find \(\displaystyle HU\), the hypotenuse of a right triangle with legs \(\displaystyle 4500\) and \(\displaystyle 14,000\).

 

[Dinky_Bell]

yes i made a sketch i just dont know how to put it in here....how did you by the way? and the triangle is HQU.