examkrackers physics question

[qazwsxedc]

Question 3, page six of EK Physics (2006)

A man entered a cave and walked 100 m North. He then made a sharp turn 150 degrees to the west and walked 87 m straight ahead. How far is the an from when he entered the cave? (sine 30 = 0.5, cosine 30 = 0.87)

THe solution to this question is sin 30 = x/100 = 50m. What am I doing wrong with my diagram? I keep getting sin 30 = x/87 for some reason. Please help.

Thanks. I attached the diagram.

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[jochi1543]

There's no diagram posted, but let me make up my own and hopefully that'll help you.

 

[jochi1543]

This is basically an optical illusion that's throwing you off. But I got this question wrong on my first time, too.

 

[scottj72]

Seems you got the idea because you have the 30 degree angle. Because you would actually end up traveling in a southwest direction kinda back towards the opening. But remember SOHCAHTOA or maybe a new version I seen recently on SDN
see one hippy, catch another hippy, trippin over acid.
sin- opp/hypotenuse
cos- adj/hypotenuse
tan- opp/adj
Basicly x is opposite the 30 degree angle so it is sine opposite over hypotenuse. The 100 would be the hypotenuse because it has to be the longest side.