Question

Trigonometry help. The instructions don’t make sense to me. Can someone explain this!

Answer 1

Answer: x = 19.42, y = 18.47, z = 18°

Explanation:

This is assumed to be a 90° triangle so you can use Soh Cah Toa to answer the questions. You must use a calculator for the last step.

`cos\theta=(adjacent)/(hypotenuse)\implies cos72^o=(6)/(x)\implies x=(6)/(cos72^o)\implies x=19.42\\\\\\tan\theta=(opposite)/(adjacent)\implies tan72^o=(y)/(6)\implies y=6\ tan72^o}\implies y=18.47\\\\`

Use Triangle Sum Theorem to find the angle measure of z:

90° + 72° + z = 180°

162° + z = 180°

z = 18°