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 771: 70

Answer

$$A \approx 88{{\text{m}}^2}$$

Work Step by Step

$$\eqalign{ & a = 15.8{\text{m}},\,\,\,b = {\text{21}}{\text{.7m,}}\,\,\,c = 10.9{\text{m}} \cr & {\text{First}},{\text{ find the semiperimeter }}s \cr & s = \frac{1}{2}\left( {a + b + c} \right) \cr & s = \frac{1}{2}\left( {15.8 + 21.7 + 10.9} \right) \cr & s = 24.2 \cr & \cr & {\text{Now use Heron's formula to find the area }}A \cr & A = \sqrt {s\left( {s - a} \right)\left( {s - b} \right)\left( {s - c} \right)} \cr & A = \sqrt {24.2\left( {24.2 - 15.8} \right)\left( {24.2 - 21.7} \right)\left( {24.2 - 10.9} \right)} \cr & {\text{Use a calculator}} \cr & A \approx 88{{\text{m}}^2} \cr} $$
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