Question

Kim is creating a mosaic in her garden. She finds the tile below and wants to know the missing side length ‘x’. Calculate the missing side length to a reasonable level of accuracy, explain your decision.

Answer 1

x = 7.99 cm

Explanation:

By applying cosine rule in the given triangle,

AC² = AB² + BC² - 2(AB)(AC)cosC

Substitute the measures of the sides and the angle in this formula,

x² = 6² + 10² - 2(6)(10)cos(53°)

x² = 36 + 100 - 72.217

x² = 63.782

x = √(63.782)

x = 7.99 cm