A Bearing Problem With Solution

We now have a right triangle and enough information to finish the problem! Note that for our \(56^{\circ}\) angle, the opposite side has length 60, and the adjacent side has length \(\ell\). So, using tangent, we get \(\displaystyle{\tan(46^{\circ}) = \frac{60}{\ell}},\) so that \(\displaystyle{\ell = \frac{60}{\tan(46^{\circ})} \approx 57.9413264\underline{9}}.\) ft. No Complete Box