Calculate the actual distance traveled by the plane.

Question

After take-off from the airport, a plane travels for in a straight trajectory until it reaches its cruising altitude of 11 000 metres (11 km). At this point, it is directly over a town that is 200km from the airport. Calculate the actual distance traveled by the plane.

Answer 1

a right triangle is formed, base =200

height = 11000

direct trajectory from the airport to the plane is the hypotenuse

h^2 = a^2 +b^2

= 11000^2 +200^2

h = square root of (121000000+40000) meters

= sqr(121,040,000) m

= about 11,001.82 meters