Question

Solve for x. Round to the nearest whole degree

Answer 1

This is a right triangle, so you can use trigonometric ratios to solve for angle x. 

There are three sides to a triangle, and each has a different relationship to angle x. 

The hypotenuse is 23. The opposite side is 17. We don't have a value for the adjacent side. 

Remember SOH (sin=opp/hyp) CAH (cos=adj/hyp) TOA(tan=opp/adj):

We have values for the opposite side, and the hypotenuse, so we can write:

sin(x) = 17/23

to reverse the sine function, take the arcsine of both sides:

x = arcsin(17/23)

Put this into your calculator (make SURE your mode is degrees, not radians) and round to the nearest whole degree. 

Answer 2

Do you understand trigonometry ? (sine, cosine, tangent)