How do you solve the right triangle given# a=32m, A=46°#?

1 Answer
Sep 28, 2016

The angles are #90°, 46° and 44°#
The sides are #32m, 30.9m and 44.5m#

Explanation:

Let's call the triangle ABC, where #hatB# is the 90° angle.

The sum of the angles in a triangle is 180°

If #hatB = 90°,# then #hatA +hatC=90°#

From #hatA = 46°#, you can calculate #hatC#

#hatC = 90°-46° = 44°#

Using trigonometry to find the length of #AB or c#

#"opp"/"adj" = c/32 = tan44°#

#c = 32tan44°#3

#c = 30.9m#

The length of the hypotenuse, AC, can be found by using trig or Pythagoras's Theorem.

Pythagoras#color(white)(xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)# Trig

#a^2+ c^2 = b^2color(white)(xxxxxxxxcccccxxx xx)"a"/32 = 1/(cos44)#

#32^2 + 30.9^2 =1978.9color(white)(xxxxxxxxx)a = 32/(cos44)#

#sqrt1978.9 = 44.5mcolor(white)(xxxxxxxxxxx) a = 44.5m#