Hey,

I've been working on this question for like 3 hours and keep getting the same answer and I don't know why. I'm working on an assignment that I must get all the answers right to get credit... this is my last one. If you could help me I would be very happy. So here's the question:

Points A and B are separated by a lake. To find the distance between them, a surveyor locates a point C on land such that CAB = 48.4°. He also measures CA as 319 ft and CB as 527 ft. Find the distance between A and B. Give your answer correct to the nearest foot. (Note: ABC is an acute angle.)


I keep getting 682 feet as an answer but that is apperantly wrong. I've been using the law of sines and even tried the law of cosines but I really shouldn't use that law in this section (I don't learn it until the next section) Again thanks for your help

-J-

319/Sin B = 527/Sin 48.4

Did you use the above? (Sin Rule)

What value did you get for angle B.

Then, what value for angle C?

After that of course

AB/Sin C = 527/Sin 48.4

MY ANSWER IS ALSO : Approx. 682

I used the law of sines and arrived at the same answer you did.

I include a diagram. I hope I interpreted correctly.

\frac{sin(48.4)}{527}=\frac{sin(B)}{319}

B=26.914 \;\ degrees

That means C=104.686 \;\ degrees.

\frac{sin(104.686)}{c}=\frac{sin(48.4)}{527}

c=681.71

BECAUSE: sin 104.686 = 0.5489, Sin 48.4 = 0.2656

I beg to differ.

Are you sure you're not set on radians or something? Those are not correct.

sin(104.686)=0.967329....

and sin(48.4)=0.747798.....

You are right!

I was converting to radians incorrectly!

I have edited my answer.

Thanks.