Two fishing boats leave the same dock at the same time. One boat heads northeast and is travelling at a speed of 15 km/h while the other is travelling northwest at 18 km/h. After 45 minutes, the boats are 14.0 km apart. Assuming that both boats are travelling in straight paths, what is the angle between their paths to the nearest degree?

The boat speeds of 15 km/h and 18 km/h, directions, and the time of travel of 45 minutes gives the angle between their paths as approximately 68°.

How can the angle between the paths of the boats be found?

The given parameters are;

Direction of the first boat = Northeast

Speed of the first boat = 15 km/h

Direction of the second boat = Northwest

Speed of the second boat = 18 km/h

Distance between the boats after 45 minutes = 14.0 km.

45 minutes = 0.75 × 1 hour

Distance traveled by the first boat in 45 minutes, d1, is therefore;

d1 = 15 km/h × 0.75 hr = 11.25 km

For the second boat, we have;

d2 = 18 km/h × 0.75 hr = 13.5 km

Using cosine rule, we have;

14² = 11.25² + 13.5² - 2 × 11.25 × 13.5 × cos(A)

Where A is the angle between the paths of the two boats.

Which gives;

[tex]cos(A) = \frac{361}{972} [/tex]

[tex] A= \mathbf{ arccos\left(\frac{361}{972} \right) }\approx 68^\circ [/tex]

The angle between their paths to the nearest degree, A ≈ 68°

Learn more about the rule of cosines here:

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