Two islands are in the ocean. If the central angle with vertex at the center of the earth and rays that pass through these two islands measures 12', how many statute miles apart are they?

Question

Mathematics

Sarah Tran

6 September, 14:56

Two islands are in the ocean. If the central angle with vertex at the center of the earth and rays that pass through these two islands measures 12', how many statute miles apart are they?

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Answers (1)

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Amiya West · Answer 1

The central angle with vertex at the center of the Earth is : α = 12' = 1/5° = 0.2°.

The distance between two islands:

L = R π α / 180°

Earth radius = 6,317 km = 3,959 miles

L = 3,959 · 3.14 · 0.2° / 180°

L = 13.82 miles

Answer: Two islands are 13.82 statute miles apart.