How do I solve this math question?

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gdextreme

Member
Nov 8, 2008
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Find the Eq. of lines AB, BC , AC. Find points of intersections of Line from origin to (4,8) to AB, BC, AC by solving the equations. I'm feeling lazy atm so didn't solve it damn long process. Once you know the points of intersection use distance formula to find the distance between them.
 
Oct 27, 2007
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It never fails to astonish me how little maths people know. I'd be ashamed if I had to ask for help with this problem (assuming the Earth's curvature could be ignored). You should near how to find the intersection of two lines at about age 14-15. Transforming the triangle's coordinates into three straight line equations is almost trivial, and from there you're golden.
 

tokie

Golden Member
Jun 1, 2006
1,491
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This is a freshman high school question. Is there no age limit for people on this board? It seems like this kid is in summer school..
 

Modelworks

Lifer
Feb 22, 2007
16,240
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Originally posted by: Cogman
Originally posted by: Cattlegod
Originally posted by: FleshLight
Originally posted by: DrPizza
Holy shit, that's a hard problem. You do know that the earth is, more or less, spherical, don't you? So, what do you mean by a straight line? Through the earth?! Ouch!
A straight line is going to be an arc. Wow, what grade level are you in? That's a really really hard problem!

Truth. We need the altitude of the plane and the projected coordinate system you are using.

not to mention starting height, because we could make it efficient and fly in a straight line still if it started high enough.

Also need starting speed and type of plane so we can determine how long it takes to get up to cruising speed. if it is a 1940's prop plane and starting at 40,000 feet, they guy may freeze to death and thus never make it to the destination.

Don't forget, air friction, cross winds, the fact that he is burning fuel (So the plane gets lighter as he flies). Also, you can't forget tidel differences, and the fact that the position of the moon and sun can change the amount of energy expended on the trip.

It looks like you'll have to break out some Calc 2 to get this problem, its the only way to be sure.

I suggest looking into triple integrals, the gravitational constant, and maximizing equations. Good luck.


Also don't forget to include day of the week in the calculation. Tuesdays are when they have doughnuts on sale for half price, increasing the pilots weight. Weight will be dependent on whether he got them with or without sprinkles !
 

joesmoke

Diamond Member
Nov 2, 2007
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i have undeniable proof that the Bermuda Triangle is actually a parallelogram
 

jersiq

Senior member
May 18, 2005
887
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Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer
It never fails to astonish me how little maths people know. I'd be ashamed if I had to ask for help with this problem (assuming the Earth's curvature could be ignored). You should near how to find the intersection of two lines at about age 14-15. Transforming the triangle's coordinates into three straight line equations is almost trivial, and from there you're golden.

Too bad the same doesn't appply to the English language.
 

PlasmaBomb

Lifer
Nov 19, 2004
11,636
2
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Originally posted by: BillGates
Fighter jets always fly in mph, not kph, because they're badass.

(that's the answer that'll get you extra credit)

They fly in knots (kts) you noob...

200 kph is about 108 kts, so the question should really be why is the jet flying barely above stall speed?

In fact that is below the stall speed of many jet aircraft thus the answer could well be forever... (since the plane falls out of the sky).