Pearson Algebra 2 Common Core, 2011
PA
Pearson Algebra 2 Common Core, 2011 View details
3. Right Triangles and Trigonometric Ratios
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Exercise 39 Page 925

Use the tangent ratio to find m ∠ B.

c≈ 12.2
m ∠ B ≈ 55.0^(∘)
m ∠ A ≈ 35.0^(∘)

Practice makes perfect

First, let's draw the measurements from the exercise on a right triangle to visualize the given information.

We will find the missing measures one at a time. In this case, this means that we want to find m ∠ A, m ∠ B, and c.

Angle Measures

We can find m ∠ B using a tangent ratio. The tangent of ∠ B is the ratio of the length of the leg opposite ∠ B to the length of the leg adjacent ∠ B. tan B=Opposite/Adjacent ⇒ tan B =10/7 By the definition of the inverse tangent, the inverse sine of 107 is the measure of ∠ B. To find it, we have to use a calculator.
m∠ B=tan ^(-1) 10/7
m∠ B = 55.0079... ^(∘)
m∠ B ≈ 55.0 ^(∘)
To find m∠ A, recall that the acute angles of a right triangle are complementary. Therefore, m ∠ A and m ∠ B add up to 90^(∘). m ∠ A + m ∠ B = 90^(∘) Now, we can substitute the approximated measure of ∠ B in our equation and find the measure of ∠ A. m ∠ A + 55.0 ^(∘) ≈ 90^(∘) ⇔ m ∠ A ≈ 35.0^(∘)

Side Lengths

Finally, we can find the measure of c. To do it, we can use the Pythagorean Theorem. a^2 + b^2 = c^2 Let's substitute the known lengths, a= 7 and b = 10, into this equation to find c.
a^2+b^2=c^2
7^2 + 10^2= c^2
Solve for c
49+100=c^2
149=c^2
sqrt(149)=c
c=sqrt(149)
c=12.206555...
c≈ 12.2