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(URGENT) Can someone help me find x, I’ve gotten it wrong twice.

(URGENT) Can someone help me find x, I’ve gotten it wrong twice.-example-1
User Hack Saw
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1 Answer

4 votes

Answer:

x = 24.10

Explanation:

The given sides of the triangle are the hypotenuse (x) and a side of length 20 that is adjacent to the 34° angle and opposite the 56° angle.

The mnemonic SOH CAH TOA reminds you of relationships between the hypotenuse and adjacent or opposite sides:

Sin = Opposite/Hypotenuse

Cos = Adjacent/Hypotenuse

If we want to use the "adjacent" side, we would choose ...

cos(34°) = 20/x

x = 20/cos(34°) ≈ 20/0.83 ≈ 24.10 . . . . . rounding according to instructions

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If we want to use the "opposite" side, we would choose ...

sin(56°) = 20/x

x = 20/sin(56°) ≈ 20/0.83 ≈ 24.10 . . . . . rounding according to instructions

_____

Comment on rounding

If you round correctly (only at the last step), the proper answer is 24.12.

User Node Ninja
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