Compound Collision Course Method

[Pisces]

Originally Posted by JoeCorrado

Doesn't it take FOUR brain cells to perform any type of trig function?

Is it cheating to use a 21st century calculator to do the math and just pretend like you have a math wiz doing the calculations for you, or is long hand absolutely required for the sake of realism?

K.I.S.S.

It's a personal choice. But since it is usually much easier to just spin a wheel making numbers align, than it is to punching numbers (and risk starting over if you punch in the wrong one) on a calculator, I try to find a more authentic way. But yeah, when testing methods out I too use a calculator to make sure the intermediate steps are dead-accurate.

Solving something graphically is perfectly acceptable. But the drawing tools can induce major inaccuracy in certain situations. Like in this case, two relative bearings that are close together. The point where they cross could be a very slender 'X'. This would lead to a wildly changing intercept angle (W).