Chapter 7: Problem 17
Solve the given triangles. $$ \alpha=120^{\circ}, \beta=10^{\circ}, c=12 \mathrm{~cm} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\( a \approx 9.68 \mathrm{~cm}, b \approx 2.73 \mathrm{~cm}, \gamma = 50^{\circ} \).
Step by step solution
01
Determine Triangle Type
The given angles are \( \alpha = 120^{\circ} \) and \( \beta = 10^{\circ} \), with side \( c = 12 \mathrm{~cm} \). This is a non-right triangle since one angle is greater than \( 90^{\circ} \). We'll use the Law of Sines for solution.
02
Find Angle \( \gamma \)
Sum of angles in a triangle is always \( 180^{\circ} \). Therefore, \( \gamma = 180^{\circ} - \alpha - \beta = 180^{\circ} - 120^{\circ} - 10^{\circ} = 50^{\circ} \).
03
Use the Law of Sines for Side \( a \)
The Law of Sines states: \(\frac{a}{\sin \alpha} = \frac{b}{\sin \beta} = \frac{c}{\sin \gamma}\)Use this to solve for \( a \):\[ \frac{a}{\sin 120^{\circ}} = \frac{12}{\sin 50^{\circ}} \]\( \sin 120^{\circ} = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \) and \( \sin 50^{\circ} \approx 0.766 \).Substitute these into the equation:\[ \frac{a}{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}} = \frac{12}{0.766} \]\( a \approx \frac{12 \times \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}}{0.766} \approx 9.68 \mathrm{~cm}\).
04
Use the Law of Sines for Side \( b \)
Now solve for \( b \):\[ \frac{b}{\sin 10^{\circ}} = \frac{12}{\sin 50^{\circ}} \]\( \sin 10^{\circ} \approx 0.174 \).Substitute into the equation:\[ \frac{b}{0.174} = \frac{12}{0.766} \]\( b \approx \frac{12 \times 0.174}{0.766} \approx 2.73 \mathrm{~cm}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Law of Sines
The Law of Sines is a fundamental rule in trigonometry and is extremely useful in solving triangles that are not right-angled. It allows us to solve triangles by relating the lengths of their sides to the sines of their opposite angles. This relationship is particularly helpful when dealing with non-right triangles, where we can't directly apply the Pythagorean theorem. The formula for the Law of Sines states:
- For any triangle with sides a, b, and c, and angles opposite those sides as \( \alpha \), \( \beta \), and \( \gamma \), respectively: \( \frac{a}{\sin \alpha} = \frac{b}{\sin \beta} = \frac{c}{\sin \gamma} \)
Angle Sum in Triangle
The sum of interior angles in any triangle, whether it is right, acute, or obtuse, is always \( 180^{\circ} \). This is a basic property of triangles that is often utilized in geometry to solve for missing angles.
- Knowing two angles in a triangle allows you to find the third angle easily by subtracting the sum of the known angles from \( 180^{\circ} \).
- \( \gamma = 180^{\circ} - 120^{\circ} - 10^{\circ} = 50^{\circ} \)
Triangle Problem Solving
Solving triangle problems often involves combining multiple concepts and properties, and non-right triangles can present unique challenges compared to right triangles. Here's a simple guide to tackle such problems:
- First, determine if the triangle has a right angle or not. For non-right triangles, use the Law of Sines or Cosines.
- Apply the angle sum property to find unknown angles. With two known angles, simply subtract their sum from \( 180^{\circ} \) to find the third angle.
- Use trigonometric laws accordingly. When two angles and a side are known, use the Law of Sines to find missing sides.
- We determined that the triangle is not a right triangle, and thus used the Law of Sines to solve for the unknown sides \( a \) and \( b \).