Assessment Task Sheet

Australian International Academy, Kellyville

Name: __Amer__________________ Date: ___6/9/2017_______

Year Level: Year 8 Subject: Mathematics

TITLE: Ahoy there!

Due Date: September 8th 2017
MYP Criteria : Criteria B and C

How far away is the horizon?

In order to determine how far away the horizon is for any given observer, we need to first determine how far
above sea level the observer's eyes are.

The diagram above represents a simplified model of the earth as a sphere with a constant radius where

R is the radius of the earth

h is the height of an object above sea-level
d is the direct distance to the horizon

Therefore providing we know R and h we can use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the distance to the horizon
(d).

In answering the following questions we will assume that the radius of the Earth is approximately 6378
kilometres.

1. Imagine you are standing by the waters edge at your favourite beach looking over the ocean to the
horizon. Ignoring the fact that your eyes are a little below the top of your head, using your own height
find how far away the horizon would be?

Hypotenuse = R+height = 6378km+168cm first convert 168 to km which is 0.00168 + 6378 = 6378.0168

A= R = 6378

(Hypotenuse2 ) (A2 ) = (6378.001682) (63782) = 4.629

D = 4.629 km
2. Now imagine that you are looking out of the window in an aeroplane cruising at an altitude of 1.2
kilometers. How far away would the horizon be in this case?

Hypotenuse = R+height = 6378km+1.2km = 6379.2km

A= R = 6378

(Hypotenuse2 ) (A2 ) = (6379.22) (63782) = 123.728089

D = 123.728089
Seeing something tall?

3. Jack Sparrow is 12 meters above sea level in the lookout post on the main mast of his pirate ship. Another
ship belonging to the wicked pirate Jill Cuckoo is 10 kilometers further out to sea from Jack Sparrows ship.

Will Jack Sparrow in his lookout post be able to see Jill Cuckoos ship?

R = 6378 km

Hypotenuse = R+height = 6378km+0.012km = 6378.012km

A= R = 6378

(Hypotenuse2 ) (A2 ) = (6378.0122) (63782) = 12.37223278

D = 12.37223278
Somewhere over the horizon!

hB distance above sea level of lookout post

DB distance of boat to horizon
DL distance of lighthouse to horizon
hL height of the lighthouse

4. Captain Feathersword is also a pirate and is sailing in the ship shown in the diagram.
If his lookout post is 16 metres above sea-level and the top of the lighthouse on the other side of the
horizon is 24 metres above sea level, find how far apart they are at the point where the lighthouse first
comes into view of the ships lookout post.

1)

R = 6378 km

Hypotenuse = R+height = 6378km+0.016km = 6378.016km

A= R = 6378

(Hypotenuse2 ) (A2 ) = (6378.0162) (63782) = 14.28622609

D = 14.28622609

2)

R = 6378 km

Hypotenuse = R+height = 6378km+0.024km = 6378.024km

A= R = 6378

(Hypotenuse2 ) (A2 ) = (6378.0162) (63782) = 14.28622609

D = 14.28622609
5. Humpty Pirate is at the top of the mast of his ship 16 metres above sea level and is 43 kilometres distant
from Jack Sparrows ship.

i. Show that they are too far away from each other to be visible.

1)

R = 6378 km

Hypotenuse = R+height = 6378km+0.016km = 6378.016km

A= R = 6378

(Hypotenuse2 ) (A2 ) = (6378.0162) (63782) = 14.28622609

D = 14.28622609

ii. To first become visible to each other how close must they get?
Reflection

To help complete your reflection on this piece of work please have a look at the following questions which
should help you.

1. How did you know if the distances to the horizon you found made sense given the situations described in
the questions?

Do some research - Are there rules of thumb that can be used to estimate distance to the horizon?

2. Are there any practical situations where knowing your distance to the horizon could be useful? Perhaps
you will need to do some research again for this question.

3. What level of accuracy did you use for your answers and why?

4. To help us calculate the distance to the horizon we assumed that the Earth was a sphere and that the
radius was therefore a constant value. How big an impact do you think these assumptions have on the
accuracy of your answers?

5. In reality is your line of sight to the horizon really a straight line?

 Criterion B Investigating Patterns

1-2 Word problem solved with major calculation errors/missing steps

3-4 Word problem solved with minor/no calculation errors
Tried to write about how you could be sure, and/or checked that the distances calculated
made sense.

5-6 Student does all of the above and shows all work and all steps
Briefly wrote about how you could be sure, and/or checked that the distances calculated
made sense.
Wrote about practical situations where knowing the distance to the horizon could be
useful

7-8 Student does all of the above and proves the Pythagorean theorem in the context of the
problem with no calculation errors.
Wrote with enough detail how you could be sure, and/or checked that the distances
calculated made sense.

Criterion C Communication in Mathematics

1-2 The student attempts to explain results
3-4 The reflection provides an explanation of the results
Had difficulties writing about practical situations where knowing your distance to the
horizon could be useful
5-6 The reflection provides a well-reasoned explanation of your results and discusses whether
or not they make sense
Wrote about any accuracy issues, including any rounding you used
7-8 You reflection provides proof as to why your explanation makes sense through the work
of the Pythagorean theorem and proves that the theorem would work well to solve
problems.
Wrote with enough detail about practical situations where knowing your distance to the
horizon could be useful.
Wrote effectively about any accuracy issues, including any rounding you used

BOS Outcomes:

A student:
MA4-1WM - communicates and connects mathematical ideas using appropriate terminology, diagrams and
symbols
MA4-2WM - applies appropriate mathematical techniques to solve problems
MA4-16MG - applies Pythagoras theorem to calculate side lengths in right-angled triangles, and solves
related problems