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Find X. round to nearest tenth using law of cosines, please help!

Find X. round to nearest tenth using law of cosines, please help!-example-1
User Augustzf
by
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1 Answer

6 votes

Explanation:

Using the modified picture attached to this answer;

Parameters

x = Angle X

8 = x

19 = y

14 = z

Therefore,

Using Cosine rule

x² = y² + z² - 2·y·z·cos X

Masking Cos X the subject of the formula,

Cos X = (y² + z² - x²) / (2·y·z)

Cos X = (19² + 14² - 8²) / (2·19·14)

Cos X = (361 + 196 - 64) / 532

Cos X = (557 -64) / 532

Cos X = 493 / 532

Cos X = 0.92669

But, since we are looking for angle X, we have to divide both sides by Cos, therefore having;

X = Cos-¹ [0.92669]

Since 1 / Cos = Cos-¹

Therefore,

X = 22.075

And since x, our unknown, is equal to angle X, then,

x = 22.1 (to the nearest tenth)

Find X. round to nearest tenth using law of cosines, please help!-example-1
User Joshua Welz
by
7.7k points