Vector Application Problem

Question

During a baseball game on March 24^th, 2001, and unlucky bird flew directly in the path of a Randy Johnson fastball. The fastball was traveling due north at a speed of 95 mph, while the bird was flying 30 degrees south of west at 18 mph. If we assume that, upon collision, the bird and the ball fused into one object, what was the resulting speed and direction of the birdball?

Answer 1

The resultant R, components would be 95 - 18sin 30^° N and 18cos 30^° W

R^{2 =} 86² + 15.6² = 7640^; √7640= 87.4 = R; θ= tan^-1(86/15.6) = 79.7^° N of W

so resulting speed 87.4 mph 79.4^° N of W