Answers:
- side a = 12.3 units
- angle B = 100 degrees
- side b = 15.8 units
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Explanation:
Let A = 50 degrees and C = 30 degrees. The side opposite angle uppercase C is lowercase c = 8. Convention usually has uppercase letters as the angles, while the lowercase letters are side lengths. A goes opposite 'a', B goes opposite b, and C goes opposite c.
Let's use the given angles to find the missing angle B
A+B+C = 180
50+B+30 = 180
B+80 = 180
B = 180-80
B = 100
Now we can apply the law of sines to find side b
b/sin(B) = c/sin(C)
b/sin(100) = 8/sin(30)
b = sin(100)*8/sin(30)
b = 15.7569240481953
b = 15.8
Make sure your calculator is in degree mode.
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We'll do the same thing to find side 'a'
a/sin(A) = c/sin(C)
a/sin(50) = 8/sin(30)
a = sin(50)*8/sin(30)
a = 12.2567110899037
a = 12.3
Both values for 'a' and b are approximate (even before rounding).
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Extra info (optional)
- As you can probably tell or guess, the phrasing "solve the triangle" means "find all sides and angles".
- Notice how if we erase the question marked sides and angles of the original drawing, we're left with something in the AAS case. Meaning that exactly one triangle is possible here. We don't have to worry about any ambiguous case.
- If you wanted, you could apply the law of cosines rule after you determine two sides and an included angle between them. This will yield the length of the side opposite the angle.
