Question

Find the values of x and y. Write your answers in simplest form

Answer 1

Answer:

$x =6$

$y=6\cdot \sqrt{2}$

Step-by-step explanation:

Trigonometric Ratios

The ratios of the sides of a right triangle are called trigonometric ratios. There are six trigonometric ratios: sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant, and cotangent.

The longest side of the right triangle is called the hypotenuse and the other two sides are the legs.

Choosing any of the acute angles as a reference, it has an adjacent side and an opposite side. The trigonometric ratios are defined upon those sides.

The image shows a right triangle where the angle of 45° has x as the opposite leg, 6 as the adjacent leg, and y as the hypotenuse. The trigonometric ratio that applies here is the cosine ratio, defined as:

$\displaystyle \cos\theta=\frac{\text{adjacent leg}}{\text{hypotenuse}}$

$\displaystyle \cos 45^\circ=\frac{6}{y}$

Solving for y:

$\displaystyle y=\frac{6}{\cos 45^\circ}$

$\cos 45^\circ=\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$

Substituting:

$\displaystyle y=\frac{6}{\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}}$

$y=6\cdot \sqrt{2}$

Now use the tangent ratio:

$\displaystyle \tan\theta=\frac{\text{opposite leg}}{\text{adjacent leg}}$

$\displaystyle \tan 45^\circ=\frac{x}{6}$

Solving for x:

$x=6\cdot\tan 45^\circ$

$\tan 45^\circ=1$

Substituting:

$x=6\cdot 1$

$x =6$

Answer:

$x =6$

$y=6\cdot \sqrt{2}$