Answer: x = 9.6
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Explanation:
We have two smaller right triangles that are glued together so to speak.
The base of the smaller triangle on the left is 5 while the height is h.
Let's use the tangent rule to find the value of h
tan(angle) = opposite/adjacent
tan(55) = h/5
5*tan(55) = h
h = 5*tan(55)
h = 7.14074003371058
Make sure your calculator is in degree mode. That value of h above is approximate.
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Now focus on the smaller triangle on the right
It has the same height value h. This side is the adjacent side while x is the hypotenuse.
We'll use the cosine ratio
cos(angle) = adjacent/hypotenuse
cos(42) = h/x
cos(42) = 7.14074003371058/x
x*cos(42) = 7.14074003371058
x = 7.14074003371058/cos(42)
x = 9.6088135029715
x = 9.6
