Question

Help I'm not sure if this is the answer? (This question is about trigonometric ratios)

Answer 1

9514 1404 393

Answer:

  (b) 15.32

Step-by-step explanation:

You can use your triangle sense to answer this.

The side x will always be shorter than the hypotenuse, 20. This eliminates the last two choices.

If the angle is 45°, then the sides are equal at about 0.707 times the length of the hypotenuse. That would make them 0.707×20 = 14.14. Since the angle is greater than 45°, the opposite side will be greater than 14.14. Only one answer choice fits between 14 and 20: the second choice -- 15.32.

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The mnemonic SOH CAH TOA reminds you of the relation ...

  Sin = Opposite/Hypotenuse

  sin(50°) = x/20

  x = 20×sin(50°) . . . . multiply by 20 to find x

  x ≈ 15.32 . . . . . . . . . use your calculator to evaluate

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The attachment is intended to show how the triangle side lengths change with angle.