Table of contents
- 0. Review of College Algebra4h 43m
- 1. Measuring Angles40m
- 2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
- 3. Unit Circle1h 19m
- 4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
- 5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations1h 41m
- 6. Trigonometric Identities and More Equations2h 34m
- 7. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
- 8. Vectors2h 25m
- 9. Polar Equations2h 5m
- 10. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 11. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
7. Non-Right Triangles
Law of Cosines
Struggling with Trigonometry?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Given triangle ABC with sides , , and opposite angles A, B, and C respectively, which equation can be used to solve for the measure of angle ?
A
B
C
D
Verified step by step guidance1
Recognize that the problem involves the Law of Cosines, which relates the lengths of the sides of a triangle to the cosine of one of its angles.
Recall the Law of Cosines formula for any triangle ABC: \(a^{2} = b^{2} + c^{2} - 2bc \cos(A)\), where side \(a\) is opposite angle \(A\), side \(b\) opposite angle \(B\), and side \(c\) opposite angle \(C\).
To solve for angle \(B\), use the Law of Cosines formula with side \(b\) opposite angle \(B\): \(b^{2} = a^{2} + c^{2} - 2ac \cos(B)\).
Note that the given incorrect equation has a plus sign before the \$2ac \cos(B)\( term, but the correct Law of Cosines formula requires a minus sign: \)b^{2} = a^{2} + c^{2} - 2ac \cos(B)$.
Therefore, the correct equation to solve for angle \(B\) is \(b^{2} = a^{2} + c^{2} - 2ac \cos(B)\), which can be rearranged to find \(\cos(B)\) and then \(B\) itself.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
In Exercises 57–64, find the exact value of the following under the given conditions:a. cos (α + β)3 3𝝅 1 3𝝅 tan α = ------ , 𝝅 < α < -------- , and cos β = ------- , ---------- < β < 2𝝅.4 2 4 2
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