Math  /  Geometry

QuestionQuestion 13 0/1 pt 3 19
Given the triangle , find the measure of angle AA using the Law of Cosines. Picture is not drawn to scale A=A= \square degrees

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? We need to find the angle *A* in a triangle with sides 21, 12, and 25, where 25 is opposite to angle *A*. Watch out! Remember, the Law of Cosines has different forms.
Pick the one that's easiest for this problem!
Also, don't forget about inverse cosine to get the angle itself.

STEP 2

1. Set up the Law of Cosines
2. Solve for cos(*A*)
3. Calculate *A*

STEP 3

Alright, let's **kick things off** with the Law of Cosines!
We know that a2=b2+c22bccos(A)a^2 = b^2 + c^2 - 2 \cdot b \cdot c \cdot \cos(A), where *a*, *b*, and *c* are the sides of the triangle, and *A* is the angle opposite side *a*.
In our case, a=25a = \textbf{25}, since it's opposite the angle we want to find.
Let's say b=21b = \textbf{21} and c=12c = \textbf{12}.

STEP 4

**Plugging in** our values, we get: 252=212+12222112cos(A)25^2 = 21^2 + 12^2 - 2 \cdot 21 \cdot 12 \cdot \cos(A) 625=441+144504cos(A)625 = 441 + 144 - 504 \cdot \cos(A)

STEP 5

Now, let's **isolate** cos(A)\cos(A).
First, we **combine** the numbers on the right side: 625=585504cos(A)625 = 585 - 504 \cdot \cos(A) Then, **subtract** 585 from both sides: 625585=585585504cos(A)625 - 585 = 585 - 585 - 504 \cdot \cos(A) 40=504cos(A)40 = -504 \cdot \cos(A)

STEP 6

Next, we want to **get** cos(A)\cos(A) by itself, so we **divide** both sides by -504: 40504=504504cos(A)\frac{40}{-504} = \frac{-504}{-504} \cdot \cos(A) cos(A)=40504=563\cos(A) = -\frac{40}{504} = -\frac{\textbf{5}}{\textbf{63}}We've **found** cos(A)\cos(A)!

STEP 7

To find the **angle** *A*, we need to take the **inverse cosine** (also called arccos) of both sides: A=arccos(563)A = \arccos\left(-\frac{5}{63}\right)

STEP 8

Using a calculator, we find: A94.85A \approx \textbf{94.85}^\circ Remember to make sure your calculator is in **degree mode**!

STEP 9

The measure of angle *A* is approximately 94.85\textbf{94.85} degrees.

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