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(a) A plane flies due East from A(lat. 53°N, long. 25°E) to a point B(lat. ...

(a) A plane flies due East from A(lat. 53°N, long. 25°E) to a point B(lat. 53°N, long. 85°E) at an average speed of 400 km/h. The plane then flies South from B to a point C 2000km away. Calculate, correct to the nearest whole number :
(a) the distance between A and B.
(b) the time the plane takes to reach point B ;
(c) the latitude of C.
[Take radius of the earth = 6400km; \(\pi = \frac{22}{7}\)].
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    Correct Answer: Option
    Explanation:
    (a)



    Longitude difference = 85° - 25° = 60°.
    Distance AB along the parallel of latitude = \(\frac{\theta}{360°} \times 2\pi R \cos \alpha\)
    \(AB = \frac{60}{360} \times 2 \times \frac{22}{7} \times 6400 \cos 53\)
    = \(\frac{1}{6} \times \frac{44}{7} \times 3851.62\)
    = \(4,035.03 km\)
    \(\approxeq 4035 km\)
    (b) \(Speed = \frac{Distance}{Time}\)
    \(\therefore Time = \frac{Distance}{Speed}\)
    = \(\frac{4035}{400}\)
    \(\approxeq 10 hours\).
    (c) Distance BC measured along the meridian
    \(BC = \frac{\theta}{360} \times 2 \pi R\)
    \(2000 = \frac{\theta}{360} \times 2 \times \frac{22}{7} \times 6400\)
    \(\theta = 17.898° \approxeq 18°\)
    \(\theta\) = Latitude difference
    Let the latitude of C = x.
    \(\theta = 53 - x\)
    \(18 = 53 - x\)
    \(x = 35°\)

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