Answer:
125 feet
Step-by-step explanation:
Given :
On a softball field, home plate is 43 feet from the pitcher’s mound.
A ball is hit at an angle of 27° east of the pitcher’s mound.
The ball travels 162 feet before it is caught by an outfielder.
To Find : Rounded to the nearest foot, the outfielder must throw the ball feet to return it to the pitcher.
Solution:
Law of cosines: [tex]a^2 = b^2 + c^2 -2bc cos A[/tex]
∠A = 27°
b = 43
c = 162
Substitute the given values
[tex]a^2 = 43^2 + 162^2 -2(43)(162) cos 27^{\circ}[/tex]
[tex]a^2 = 15679.497105[/tex]
[tex]a = \sqrt{15679.497105}[/tex]
[tex]a =125.21[/tex]
The outfielder must throw the ball 125 feet to return it to the pitcher.
