Question

In ΔWXY, the measure of ∠Y=90°, the measure of ∠W=60°, and YW = 40 feet. Find the length of WX to the nearest tenth of a foot.

Answer 1

XW = 80 feet

Explanation:

To answer this question, we shall be needing a diagrammatic representation of the triangle.

Please check the attachment for this.

We are told to calculate the length XW and this refers to the hypotenuse of the triangle.

The other side that we have is the adjacent.

So yo calculate the length of XW, we need a trigonometric identity that links hypotenuse and adjacent together.

The trigonometric identity to use here is the cosine.

Mathematically;

Cos of an angle = length of the adjacent/length of the hypotenuse

Cos 60 = 40/XW

XW = 40/Cos 60

Cos 60 = 1/2 or 0.5

XW = 40/0.5 = 80 feet