Trigonometry (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321671775
ISBN 13: 978-0-32167-177-6

Chapter 7 - Applications of Trigonometry and Vectors - Section 7.3 The Law of Cosines - 7.3 Exercises - Page 313: 10

Answer

7 units

Work Step by Step

We can use the law of cosines here because we know the lengths of two sides of the triangle and the measure of the included angle. The law of cosines is: $a^{2}=b^{2}+c^{2}-2bc\cos A$ where $b,c$ are the two known sides of the triangle while $A$ is the known angle. The unknown side opposite the known angle is $a$. Substituting the values in the formula and solving: $a^{2}=b^{2}+c^{2}-2bc\cos A$ $a^{2}=3^{2}+(8)^{2}-2(3)(8)\cos 60^{\circ}$ $a^{2}=9+64-48\cos 60^{\circ}$ $a^{2}=73-48\cos 60^{\circ}$ We know that $\cos 60^{\circ}=\frac{1}{2}$. Therefore, $a^{2}=73-48\cos 60^{\circ}$ $a^{2}=73-48(\frac{1}{2})$ $a^{2}=73-24$ $a^{2}=49$ $a=\sqrt {49}$ $a=7$ Therefore, the length of the unknown side of the triangle is 7 units.
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