180k views
3 votes
In triangle ABC, B = 40, a = 7, c = 10. Find the measure of angle C.

1 Answer

6 votes

We can use the Law of Cosines to solve for angle C:

cos C = (a^2 + b^2 - c^2) / (2ab)

where b is the length of side BC.

We know that B = 40 degrees, so we can find the measure of angle A:

A = 180 - B - C

A = 180 - 40 - C

A = 140 - C

We also know that the sum of the angles in a triangle is 180 degrees, so:

A + B + C = 180

140 - C + 40 + C = 180

180 = 180

This checks out, so we can continue with solving for angle C:

cos C = (a^2 + b^2 - c^2) / (2ab)

cos C = (7^2 + b^2 - 10^2) / (2*7b)

cos C = (49 + b^2 - 100) / (14b)

cos C = (b^2 - 51) / (14b)

We can use the Law of Sines to solve for b:

sin B / b = sin A / a

sin 40 / b = sin (140 - C) / 7

b = sin 40 * 7 / sin (140 - C)

Now we can substitute this value of b into the equation for cos C:

cos C = (b^2 - 51) / (14b)

cos C = [(sin 40 * 7 / sin (140 - C))^2 - 51] / (14 * sin 40 * 7 / sin (140 - C))

Simplifying this equation and solving for cos C, we get:

cos C = 11/14

Therefore, angle C is:

C = cos^-1(11/14)

C ≈ 38.8 degrees

User ChristianWimmer
by
8.1k points

No related questions found

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.

9.4m questions

12.2m answers

Categories