Question

Find the indicated side of thetriangle.17450a = [?

Answer 1

We can find a using the trig. ratio

`\sin \Theta=\frac{opposite}{\text{hypotenuse}}`

From the diagram,

Theta= 45 opposite =17 hypotenuse = a

substitute the values into the formula

`\sin 45=(17)/(a)`

cross-multiply

`a\sin 45=17`

Divide both-side by sin45

`a\text{ =}(17)/(\sin 45)`

but sin45 = 1/√2

`a=\frac{17}{\frac{1}{\sqrt[]{2}}}`
`=17*\frac{1}{\sqrt[]{2}}`
`=\frac{17}{\sqrt[]{2}}`

Rationalize the above

`=\frac{17\sqrt[]{2}}{2}`
`=(17)/(2)\sqrt[]{2}`