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: 32

Answer

$$\,c = 4.28{\text{mi, }}A = {48.8^ \circ },\,\,B = {71.5^ \circ }$$

Work Step by Step

$$\eqalign{ & C = {\text{59}}.{\text{7}}^\circ ,\,\,\,a = {\text{3}}.{\text{73mi}},\,\,b = {\text{4}}.{\text{7}}0{\text{mi}} \cr & {\text{Use the Law of cosines to find }}c \cr & {c^2} = {a^2} + {b^2} - 2ab\cos C \cr & {\text{Substitute}} \cr & {c^2} = {\left( {{\text{3}}.{\text{73}}} \right)^2} + {\left( {{\text{4}}.{\text{7}}0} \right)^2} - 2\left( {{\text{3}}.{\text{73}}} \right)\left( {{\text{4}}.{\text{7}}0} \right)\cos \left( {{\text{59}}.{\text{7}}^\circ } \right) \cr & {\text{Use a calculator}} \cr & {c^2} \approx 18.31315245 \cr & {\text{Take square roots and choose the positive root}} \cr & c \approx 4.28{\text{mi}} \cr & \cr & {\text{Calculate the angle }}A{\text{ using the law of sines}} \cr & \frac{a}{{\sin A}} = \frac{c}{{\sin C}} \cr & \sin A = \frac{{a\sin C}}{c} \cr & \sin A = \frac{{{\text{3}}.{\text{73}}\sin \left( {{\text{59}}.{\text{7}}^\circ } \right)}}{{4.28}} \cr & {\text{Use a calculator}} \cr & \sin A \approx 0.7524451878 \cr & {\text{Use the inverse sine function}} \cr & A = {48.8^ \circ } \cr & \cr & {\text{Calculate }}B \cr & B = {180^ \circ } - A - C \cr & B = {180^ \circ } - {48.8^ \circ } - {\text{59}}.{\text{7}}^\circ \cr & B = {71.5^ \circ } \cr & \cr & {\text{Answer}} \cr & \,c = 4.28{\text{mi, }}A = {48.8^ \circ },\,\,B = {71.5^ \circ } \cr} $$
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