Math Problem Statement

In relation to the right-angle triangle, what is the value of the unknown side 'b' given the angle of 72° and the opposite side length of 2.2 meters?

Solution

The image shows a right-angled triangle with the angle of 7272^\circ at one vertex and a given side of 2.2 m (opposite the 7272^\circ angle). We are tasked with finding the length of the adjacent side, bb, using trigonometry.

To solve for bb, we can use the tangent function, which relates the angle in a right triangle to the ratio of the opposite and adjacent sides:

tan(θ)=oppositeadjacent\tan(\theta) = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}}

Here, θ=72\theta = 72^\circ, the opposite side is 2.2 m, and the adjacent side is bb. Rearranging the equation to solve for bb:

b=oppositetan(θ)=2.2tan(72)b = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\tan(\theta)} = \frac{2.2}{\tan(72^\circ)}

Let me calculate the value of bb.The length of side bb is approximately 0.7150.715 meters, rounded to three significant figures.

Would you like more details or have any questions about this solution?

Here are five related questions to expand on this topic:

  1. How would the calculation change if the given angle was smaller, say 6060^\circ?
  2. Can you calculate the hypotenuse of this triangle using trigonometric functions?
  3. What would happen if the opposite side were doubled while keeping the angle 7272^\circ?
  4. How do you solve for side aa (the vertical side)?
  5. How can you use the sine or cosine rule to verify this result?

Tip: Remember that the tangent function is only defined for angles between 00^\circ and 9090^\circ and not at 9090^\circ itself.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Right-Angle Triangle

Formulas

tan(θ) = opposite / adjacent
b = opposite / tan(θ)

Theorems

Tangent Function

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12