How do you solve the triangle when given b = 15, c=8, a=15?
1 Answer
This is funny because there's a right triangle with sides a=15, b=8, and c=17. This is not that triangle ;-}
Explanation:
We have
Let's use the law of cosines to find angle C between the two 15's:
#c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2ab cos(C).#
Now put in what we know:
#8^2 = 15^2 + 15^2 - 2 * 15 * 15 * cos(C)#
#64 = 450 - 450 cos(C)#
#450 cos(C) = 450 - 64 = 386#
#cos(C) = 386/450 = 193/225.#
Now you can solve for C using a calculator:
#C = arccos(193/225) ~~ arccos(0.8578) ~~ 30.93^@#
The other two angles A and B are equal, and
...// dansmath strikes again! \\...