Elementary Geometry for College Students (5th Edition)

Published by Brooks Cole
ISBN 10: 1439047901
ISBN 13: 978-1-43904-790-3

Chapter 11 - Section 11.4 - Applications with Acute Triangles - Exercises - Page 528: 36

Answer

$b = 4$ units

Work Step by Step

$c^{2} = a^{2} + b^{2} - 2(a)(b)cos(C)$ $(2\sqrt {3})^{2} = (2)^{2} + (b)^{2} - 2(2)(b)cos(60)$ $(4 \times 3) = 4 + b^{2} - 4bcos(60)$ $12 = 4 + b^{2} - 4bcos(60)$ $8 = b^{2} - 4bcos(60)$ $b^{2} - (4cos(60))b - 8 = 0$ Let $b = x$ $x^{2} - (4cos(60))x - 8 = 0$ $x^{2} - 2x - 8 = 0$ $(x-4)(x+2) = 0$ $x = 4, -2$ $b = 4, -2$ Since $b \ne -2$, then the only answer is $b = 4$ units.
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