High School

Solve the right triangle ABC where \( C = 90^\circ \). Given \( A = 35.6^\circ \) and \( b = 35.9 \, \text{cm} \), find the length of side \( a \) in centimeters. Round your answer to the nearest tenth.

Options:
A) 36.2 cm
B) 37.5 cm
C) 34.8 cm
D) 35.4 cm

Answer :

Final answer:

To find the value of side a in triangle ABC, we first find angle B using the sum of angles in a triangle, then apply the tangent ratio for angle A to solve for a. The calculation gives an approximate value of 25.8 cm for side a, which does not match any of the provided options.

Explanation:

To solve for the value of a in the right triangle ABC with C = 90 degrees, A = 35.6 degrees, and b = 35.9 cm, we first determine the angle B. Since the sum of angles in any triangle is 180 degrees, we can find angle B by subtracting the known angles from 180 degrees:

B = 180 degrees - A - C

B = 180 degrees - 35.6 degrees - 90 degrees

B = 54.4 degrees

Now we'll use the tangent of angle A to find the length of side a, knowing the length of side b:

tan(A) = opposite/adjacent

tan(35.6 degrees) = a / 35.9 cm

Multiplying both sides by 35.9 cm to isolate a:

a = 35.9 cm * tan(35.6 degrees)

Calculating the value of tan(35.6 degrees) and multiplying by 35.9 cm yields the value of a:

a \u2248 35.9 cm * 0.7162

a \u2248 25.7 cm

Rounded to the nearest tenth, the value of a is 25.8 cm, which is not listed in the options provided.

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