Question

what is the smallest angle of a right triangle with sides 9, 40, and 41? Round your answer to the nearest degree.​

Answer 1

13°

Explanation:

The smallest angle in a triangle is the angle opposite the shortest side.

In this case the angle opposite side 9

let the angle be x, then using the tangent ratio in the right triangle

tan x =
`(opposite)/(adjacent)` =
`(9)/(40)` , thus

x =
`tan^(-1)` (
`(9)/(40)` ) ≈ 13° ( to the nearest degree )