Precalculus (6th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 013421742X
ISBN 13: 978-0-13421-742-0

Chapter 8 - Application of Trigonometry - 8.2 The Law of Cosines - 8.2 Exercises - Page 767: 29

Answer

$$a = 156{\text{cm}},{\text{ }}B = {64^ \circ }50',\,\,C = {34^ \circ }30'$$

Work Step by Step

$$\eqalign{ & A = {80^ \circ }40'{\text{,}}\,\,\,b = 143{\text{cm,}}\,\,\,c = 89.6{\text{cm}} \cr & {\text{Use the Law of cosines to find }}a \cr & {a^2} = {b^2} + {c^2} - 2bc\cos A \cr & {\text{Substitute}} \cr & {a^2} = {\left( {143} \right)^2} + {\left( {89.6} \right)^2} - 2\left( {143} \right)\left( {89.6} \right)\cos \left( {{{80}^ \circ }40'} \right) \cr & {\text{Use a calculator}} \cr & {a^2} \approx 24321.25341 \cr & {\text{Take square roots and choose the positive root}} \cr & a \approx 156{\text{cm}} \cr & \cr & {\text{Calculate the angle }}B{\text{ using the law of sines}} \cr & \frac{b}{{\sin B}} = \frac{a}{{\sin A}} \cr & \sin B = \frac{{b\sin A}}{a} \cr & \sin B = \frac{{143\sin \left( {{{80}^ \circ }40'} \right)}}{{156}} \cr & {\text{Use a calculator}} \cr & \sin B \approx 0.9045314044 \cr & {\text{Use the inverse sine function}} \cr & B = {64^ \circ }50' \cr & \cr & {\text{Calculate }}C \cr & C = {180^ \circ } - A - B \cr & C = {180^ \circ } - {80^ \circ }40' - {64^ \circ }50' \cr & C = {34^ \circ }30' \cr & \cr & {\text{Answer}} \cr & a = 156{\text{cm}},{\text{ }}B = {64^ \circ }50',\,\,C = {34^ \circ }30' \cr} $$
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