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2 votes
A triangle with side lengths 8, 15, and 17 is a right triangle by the converse of the

Pythagorean Theorem. What are the measures of the other 2 angles?

User Ghurdyl
by
6.3k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Answer:

28.072°, 61.928°

Explanation:

You want the measures of the acute angles in a right triangle with sides 8, 15, 17.

Trig functions

Any of the (inverse) trig functions can be used to find the angles. You know the acute angles are complementary, so finding one tells you the measure of the other.

Tan = Opposite/Adjacent

The smallest angle (A) is adjacent to side 15 and opposite side 8.

tan(A) = 8/15

A = arctan(8/15) ≈ 28.072°

The complement is angle B:

B = 90° -28.072° = 61.928°

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Additional comment

We have taken sides {a, b, c} = {8, 15, 17}. The angles opposite those sides are A, B, C.

You can also use ...

A = arcsin(8/17)

B = arccos(8/17)

User Abyx
by
5.3k points
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