Question

Find the number of distinct triangles with the measurements a = 8, b = 14, and A = 30°.​

Answer 1

Answer: 2

Step-by-step explanation:

By the law of sines,

$\frac{\sin B}{b}=\frac{\sin A}{a} \\ \\ \frac{\sin B}{14}=\frac{\sin 30^{\circ}}{8} \\ \\ \frac{\sin B}{14}=\frac{1}{16} \\ \\ \sin B=\frac{14}{16} \\ \\ B=\sin^{-1} \left(\frac{14}{16} \right), 180^{\circ}-\sin^{-1} \left(\frac{14}{16} \right) \\ \\ B \approx 61.04^{\circ}, 118.96^{\circ}$

Since either of these values for B will form a triangle (as A+B will be less than 180 degrees), 2 triangles can be formed with these measurements.