Question

Find the cosine of ∠W.

Answer 1

Answer:  8/17

Explanation:

We'll need the pythagorean theorem to find the missing side length.

$a^2 + b^2 = c^2\\\\15^2 + b^2 = 17^2\\\\225 + b^2 = 289\\\\b^2 = 289 - 225\\\\b^2 = 64\\\\b = \sqrt{64}\\\\b = 8$

Now we can compute the cosine ratio.

cos(angle) = adjacent/hypotenuse

cos(W) = VW/UW

cos(W) = 8/17