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-   -   Non Right Angle Triginometry (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=149737)

  • Nov 7, 2007, 10:11 PM
    Jhaynes1988
    Non Right Angle Triginometry
    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-
  • Nov 8, 2007, 02:43 AM
    terryg752
    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
  • Nov 8, 2007, 03:52 PM
    galactus
    1 Attachment(s)
    I used the law of sines and arrived at the same answer you did.

    I include a diagram. I hope I interpreted correctly.





    That means .



    c=681.71
  • Nov 8, 2007, 06:06 PM
    galactus
    Quote:

    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.....
  • Nov 8, 2007, 06:14 PM
    terryg752
    You are right!

    I was converting to radians incorrectly!

    I have edited my answer.

    Thanks.

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