Answer: 216.2 miles
Step-by-step explanation:
Alright, lets get started.
As the diagram shows, the line from point P is tangent to earth's curvature.
It means it is making right angle.
So the triangle formed will be right triangle.
Hence we can use Pythagorean theorem in it.
So from point P to center of earth, it will be hypotenuse of triangle.
[tex]c^2=a^2+b^2[/tex]
[tex](3959+5.9)^2=3959^2+x^2[/tex]
[tex]3964.9^2=3959^2+x^2[/tex]
[tex]15720432.01=15673681+x^2[/tex]
[tex]x^2=46751.01[/tex]
taking square root, the x will be :
[tex]x = 216.2[/tex]
hence the value of x is 216.2 miles. : Answer
Hope it will help :)
