College Algebra & Trigonometry, 2018a

374 CHAPTER 8. RIGHT TRIANGLE TRIGONOMETRY
If we knew the angle θ, then we could conclude that the bearing of Santa Rosa
from Bodega Bay is θ degrees East of North. From the previous diagram:
Santa Rosa
α
Bodega Bay
7 mi.
19 mi.
Rohnert Park
we can see that we can’t find θ directly, but we can find the complement of θ.
tan α = 7 19
α ≈ 20.2 ◦
Therefore, θ ≈ 90 ◦ − 20.2 ◦ ≈ 69.8 ◦
That means that the bearing of Santa Rosa from Bodega Bay is N69.8 ◦ E, or 69.8 ◦ East
of North.