Determine the great circle distance and...

Question 1 / 2707066636eea28f7522a1c51b0bf

Question 1 of 2707066636eea28f7522a1c51b0bf

Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 26°00.0'S, LONG 56°00.0'W to LAT 34°00.0'S, LONG 18°15.0'E.

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Question 1 of 27070

Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 26°00.0'S, LONG 56°00.0'W to LAT 34°00.0'S, LONG 18°15.0'E.

🔍 Key Concepts

• Great circle sailing formulas on a sphere • Relationship between difference of longitude (DLo) and initial course for great circle tracks • Use of cosine formula for great-circle distance between two lat/long positions

💭 Think About

• First, sketch approximately where both positions are on a world map. Which hemisphere and which side of the Atlantic are they on? What general direction (NE, SE, NW, SW) would a shortest path likely start on? • Compute the difference of latitude and the difference of longitude (being careful with W to E longitudes). How large is the DLo, and what does that suggest about a mainly east–west vs. north–south track? • When you calculate the great-circle distance using the spherical trigonometry formula, is your answer closer to 3700 or 3850 miles? How does that help you eliminate some choices?

✅ Before You Answer

• Be sure you convert all angles to the correct sign (South latitudes and West longitudes as negative when using formulas). • Carefully compute the difference of longitude crossing the 0° meridian (Greenwich) instead of simply subtracting W from E. • Verify that the initial course is consistent with the relative positions (you should not pick a course that would obviously head the wrong way on the globe).

Question 1 of 27070

Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 26°00.0'S, LONG 56°00.0'W to LAT 34°00.0'S, LONG 18°15.0'E.

3841 miles, 068°T

3705 miles, 153°T

3849 miles, 248°T

3805 miles, 117°T

Question 1 / 2707066636eea28f7522a1c51b0bf

Question 1 of 2707066636eea28f7522a1c51b0bf

Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 26°00.0'S, LONG 56°00.0'W to LAT 34°00.0'S, LONG 18°15.0'E.

Back

Question 1 of 27070

Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 26°00.0'S, LONG 56°00.0'W to LAT 34°00.0'S, LONG 18°15.0'E.