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When flyin from Florida to Philippine why does the shortest route pass through Alaska?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
The answer lies in Non-Euclidean geometry (spherical geometry). Florida, the Philippines, and Alaska are three collinear points on a great circle, a great circle is the equivalent to a line in Euclidean(2-D) geometry. A great circle is also classified as the shortest distance from one point to another around a circle. Because the earth is round, the distance seen on a flat map is a lot further than the distance on a globe, due to distortion. Therefore, following the great circle that goes through the three collinear points of Florida, the Philippines, and Alaska, it is a shorter distance to fly over Alaska
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
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When flying from Florida (1) to the Philippine Islands (3) why does the shortest route pass through Alaska (2)?
Consider the Earth as a sphere - the fact that it is oblate is only of minor significance. The shortest route on the surface of a sphere is an arc of the Great Circle. This is a circle whose centre is at the centre of the sphere and which passes through the start and end points.
Name two of the three states that could be considered peninsulas?
The three are Alaska, Michigan, and Florida. Florida Michigan Michign Alaska Alaska Florida
What are the peninsulas in US?
Florida, Maine, and Alaska
What is the largest peninsula in America Florida or Alaska?
It's Alaska, not Florida.
What differences in the weather would you expect in Alaska and in Florida?
Obviously hot in Florida and cold in Alaska.
Which has a higher elavation Alaska or Florida?
Alaska has a higher elevation than Florida.
How are landforms different in Alaska and Florida?
Alaska has ice landforms and Florida has tropical landforms
Which state in the US has the longest and shortest day of the year?
Longest/shortest day?? THen it is Alaska, because part of the state is inside the Arctic Circle.
Does Alaska or Florida have the higher elevation?
Definitely Alaska
In general which has a higher evelation Florida or Alaska?
Alaska
How many miles is it from Anchorgae Alaska to Nome Alaska?
Great circle (shortest direct) = 539 miles
Are there off shore orcas in southern Florida and Alaska?
Alaska
