Math Problem Statement

Construct triangle ABC, in which AB = 6 cm, angle BAC = 96° and angle ABC = 35°. Measure the length of BC. Give your answer to 1 decimal place.

Solution

To construct triangle ABC based on the given information:

  • AB=6AB = 6 cm,
  • BAC=96\angle BAC = 96^\circ,
  • ABC=35\angle ABC = 35^\circ.

Here’s the solution method:

Steps for construction:

  1. Draw the base ABAB: Draw a line segment of 6 cm.
  2. Construct angle BAC=96\angle BAC = 96^\circ: Use a protractor to measure an angle of 96° at vertex AA (with vertex AA being at the intersection of the two sides of the angle).
  3. Construct angle ABC=35\angle ABC = 35^\circ: Use a protractor to measure an angle of 35° at vertex BB.
  4. Locate point C: Extend the lines from A and B based on the angles, and the point where they intersect will be the third vertex CC.
  5. Measure side BC: Use a ruler to measure the length of side BCBC.

Solving the triangle:

After constructing the triangle, we can apply the law of sines to calculate the length of BCBC.

Law of Sines:

BCsinBAC=ABsinACB\frac{BC}{\sin \angle BAC} = \frac{AB}{\sin \angle ACB} First, calculate ACB\angle ACB. Since the sum of angles in a triangle is 180°, we have: ACB=180BACABC=1809635=49\angle ACB = 180^\circ - \angle BAC - \angle ABC = 180^\circ - 96^\circ - 35^\circ = 49^\circ Now apply the law of sines: BCsin96=6sin49\frac{BC}{\sin 96^\circ} = \frac{6}{\sin 49^\circ} Solving for BCBC: BC=6sin96sin49BC = \frac{6 \cdot \sin 96^\circ}{\sin 49^\circ} We can compute this value to find the length of side BCBC.

Let me calculate this for you! math

Given values

AB = 6 # length of AB in cm angle_BAC = 96 # angle BAC in degrees angle_ABC = 35 # angle ABC in degrees

Calculate angle ACB

angle_ACB = 180 - angle_BAC - angle_ABC

Convert angles to radians for the sine function

angle_BAC_rad = math.radians(angle_BAC) angle_ACB_rad = math.radians(angle_ACB) angle_ABC_rad = math.radians(angle_ABC)

Law of sines to find BC

BC = (AB * math.sin(angle_ACB_rad)) / math.sin(angle_BAC_rad)

Round BC to 1 decimal place

BC_rounded = round(BC, 1) BC_roundedThe length of side BCBC is approximately 4.6 cm (rounded to 1 decimal place).

Would you like further details or have any questions about this solution? Here are some related questions to explore:

  1. How do you use the law of sines in different types of triangles?
  2. What are the conditions for applying the law of sines?
  3. Can you solve the triangle using the law of cosines instead of the law of sines?
  4. How do you measure angles accurately using a protractor for construction?
  5. What other triangle properties can help solve unknown sides and angles?

Tip: Always double-check your angle measurements during construction to ensure accuracy.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometry
Trigonometry
Triangle Construction

Formulas

Law of Sines: (BC / sin(∠BAC)) = (AB / sin(∠ACB))

Theorems

Law of Sines

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-10