Math  /  Geometry

QuestionFind cc if a=2.14mi,b=3.99mia=2.14 \mathrm{mi}, b=3.99 \mathrm{mi} and C=40.9\angle C=40.9 degrees. c=c= \square mi ;
Assume A\angle A is opposite side a,Ba, \angle B is opposite side bb, and C\angle C is opposite side cc. Question Help: Video

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? We're given two sides of a triangle and the angle between them (SAS triangle), and we need to find the length of the third side. Watch out! Make sure your calculator is in degree mode, not radians!
Also, remember that the Law of Cosines has a plus sign, not a minus sign, when the angle is between the two given sides.

STEP 2

1. Apply the Law of Cosines
2. Calculate the result

STEP 3

We're given two sides and the angle *between* them.
This is a classic setup for the Law of Cosines!
It's like having two pieces of a puzzle and the angle that connects them.
The Law of Cosines helps us find the missing piece!

STEP 4

The Law of Cosines states: c2=a2+b22abcos(C)c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2 \cdot a \cdot b \cdot \cos(C).
Here, cc is the side we want to find, aa and bb are the given sides, and CC is the angle between them.

STEP 5

Let's **plug in** our values: a=2.14a = \mathbf{2.14} mi, b=3.99b = \mathbf{3.99} mi, and C=40.9C = \mathbf{40.9} degrees.
So, we have c2=(2.14)2+(3.99)22(2.14)(3.99)cos(40.9)c^2 = (\mathbf{2.14})^2 + (\mathbf{3.99})^2 - 2 \cdot (\mathbf{2.14}) \cdot (\mathbf{3.99}) \cdot \cos(\mathbf{40.9}).

STEP 6

(2.14)2=4.5796(\mathbf{2.14})^2 = \mathbf{4.5796} and (3.99)2=15.9201(\mathbf{3.99})^2 = \mathbf{15.9201}.
So, our equation becomes c2=4.5796+15.92012(2.14)(3.99)cos(40.9)c^2 = \mathbf{4.5796} + \mathbf{15.9201} - 2 \cdot (\mathbf{2.14}) \cdot (\mathbf{3.99}) \cdot \cos(\mathbf{40.9}).

STEP 7

cos(40.9)0.7558\cos(\mathbf{40.9}) \approx \mathbf{0.7558}.
Now, our equation is c2=4.5796+15.92012(2.14)(3.99)0.7558c^2 = \mathbf{4.5796} + \mathbf{15.9201} - 2 \cdot (\mathbf{2.14}) \cdot (\mathbf{3.99}) \cdot \mathbf{0.7558}.

STEP 8

2(2.14)(3.99)0.755812.90452 \cdot (\mathbf{2.14}) \cdot (\mathbf{3.99}) \cdot \mathbf{0.7558} \approx \mathbf{12.9045}.
So, c2=4.5796+15.920112.9045c^2 = \mathbf{4.5796} + \mathbf{15.9201} - \mathbf{12.9045}.

STEP 9

4.5796+15.9201=20.4997\mathbf{4.5796} + \mathbf{15.9201} = \mathbf{20.4997}.
Then, 20.499712.9045=7.5952\mathbf{20.4997} - \mathbf{12.9045} = \mathbf{7.5952}.
Therefore, c2=7.5952c^2 = \mathbf{7.5952}.

STEP 10

Finally, we take the square root of both sides to get c=7.59522.756c = \sqrt{\mathbf{7.5952}} \approx \mathbf{2.756} mi.
Remember, we're looking for a length, so we only consider the positive square root.

STEP 11

c2.756c \approx \mathbf{2.756} mi.

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