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Figure out angle θ using the cosine rule

Figure out angle θ using the cosine rule-example-1
User Foofaa
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Answer:

(a) see below

(b) 36°

Explanation:

You want the angle between sides 12 mm and 23 mm in a triangle whose third side is 15 mm.

a) Angle

The cosine rule is given in the problem statement. Solving it for the angle, we have ...

2bc·cos(θ) +a² = b² +c² . . . . . . . . add 2bc·cos(θ)

2bc·cos(θ) = b² +c² -a² . . . . . . . . . subtract a²

cos(θ) = (b² +c² -a²)/(2bc) . . . . . . . divide by 2bc

b) Application

So, the angle is ...

θ = arccos((b² +c² -a²)/(2bc))

θ = arccos((12² +23² -15²)/(2·12·23))

θ ≈ 36°

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Additional comment

The calculator is in degrees mode.

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Figure out angle θ using the cosine rule-example-1
User Jfriedman
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