Question

A ship sails east from a harbor for 16 nautical miles. It then sails in the direction of N 55 E for 18 nautical miles. How far is it then from the harbor? (Round to the nearest whole number.)

Answer 1

we know that

[the component East (x axis)]=16+18*cos 55°---------> 26.32 miles

[the component North (y axis)]=18*sin 55°--------------> 14.74 miles

applying the Pythagorean theorem we can know the distance from the harbor
d²=26.32²+14.74²---------> d²=910.01--------> d=√910.01--------> d=30.17 miles

the answer is
30 miles