Question

A triangular fence is built with sides each of length 15 m, 14 m, and 24 m, respectively. To the

nearest degree, what is the measure of the smallest angle made by the fence?

Answer 1

9514 1404 393

Answer:

33°

Explanation:

The law of cosines tells you ...

a² = b² +c² -2bc·cos(A)

Solving for A, we get ...

A = arccos((b² +c² -a²)/(2bc))

A = arccos((15² +24² -14²)/(2·15·24)) = arccos(605/720)

A ≈ 32.8305°

The smallest angle is about 33°.