Textbook Question
In Exercises 1–4, u and v have the same direction. In each exercise: Is u = v? Explain.
Ch. 4 - Laws of Sines and Cosines; Vectors
Blitzer3rd EditionTrigonometryISBN: 9780137316601
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Table of contents
Chapter 4, Problem 2
In Exercises 1–8, solve each triangle. Round lengths of sides to the nearest tenth and angle measures to the nearest degree.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the type of triangle problem you are dealing with: whether you have two sides and an included angle (SAS), two angles and a side (ASA or AAS), or three sides (SSS). This will determine which trigonometric laws or formulas to use.
If you have two sides and the included angle (SAS), use the Law of Cosines to find the third side: \[ c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2ab \cos(C) \] where \(a\) and \(b\) are known sides and \(C\) is the included angle.
Once you have all three sides, or if you start with two angles and a side (ASA or AAS), use the Law of Sines to find unknown sides or angles: \[ \frac{a}{\sin(A)} = \frac{b}{\sin(B)} = \frac{c}{\sin(C)} \] where \(a\), \(b\), \(c\) are sides opposite angles \(A\), \(B\), and \(C\) respectively.
If you have all three sides (SSS), use the Law of Cosines to find one angle first, then use the Law of Sines or Law of Cosines again to find the remaining angles.
After calculating all sides and angles, round the side lengths to the nearest tenth and the angle measures to the nearest degree as required.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Types of Triangles and Their Properties
Understanding whether a triangle is right, acute, or obtuse is essential because it determines which trigonometric rules apply. Recognizing side lengths and angle measures helps in selecting appropriate methods for solving the triangle.
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4:42
Review of Triangles
Law of Sines and Law of Cosines
These laws relate the sides and angles of any triangle, enabling the calculation of unknown measures. The Law of Sines is useful when given two angles and one side or two sides and a non-included angle, while the Law of Cosines applies when two sides and the included angle or all three sides are known.
Recommended video:
4:35Intro to Law of Cosines
Rounding and Measurement Accuracy
Rounding side lengths to the nearest tenth and angles to the nearest degree ensures answers are presented clearly and consistently. Proper rounding is important to maintain accuracy without overcomplicating results, especially in applied problems.
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4:56Example 1
Related Practice
Textbook Question
In Exercises 1–8, solve each triangle. Round lengths of sides to the nearest tenth and angle measures to the nearest degree.
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Textbook Question
In oblique triangle ABC, C = 68°, a = 5, and b = 6. Find c to the nearest tenth.
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Textbook Question
In Exercises 1–4, u and v have the same direction. In each exercise: Find ||v||.
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Textbook Question
In Exercises 1–12, solve each triangle. Round lengths to the nearest tenth and angle measures to the nearest degree. If no triangle exists, state 'no triangle.' If two triangles exist, solve each triangle. B = 107°, C = 30°, c = 126
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Textbook Question
In Exercises 1–4, u and v have the same direction. In each exercise: Find ||u||.
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