Q. In ΔIJK, i=3.9 inches, j=3.5 inches and k=2.3 inches. Find the measure of ∠I to the nearest 10th of a degree.
Apply Law of Cosines: To find the measure of ∠I, we can use the Law of Cosines, which relates the lengths of the sides of a triangle to the cosine of one of its angles. The formula is c2=a2+b2−2abcos(C), where C is the angle opposite side c, and a and b are the other two sides.
Rearrange for cos(I): In ΔIJK, we want to find the measure of ∠I, which is opposite side i. Therefore, we will rearrange the Law of Cosines formula to solve for cos(I): cos(I)=2⋅j⋅kj2+k2−i2.
Plug in values: Now we plug in the values for i, j, and k: cos(I)=2×3.5×2.33.52+2.32−3.92.
Calculate numerator: Perform the calculations inside the parentheses: cos(I)=2×3.5×2.312.25+5.29−15.21.
Calculate denominator: Calculate the numerator: cos(I)=(12.25+5.29−15.21)=2.33.
Find cos(I): Calculate the denominator: cos(I)=(2×3.5×2.3)2.33=16.12.33.
Use inverse cosine function: Divide the numerator by the denominator to find cos(I): cos(I)=16.12.33≈0.1447.
Calculate inverse cosine: Now, we need to find the angle whose cosine is approximately 0.1447. We use the inverse cosine function to do this: ∠I≈cos−1(0.1447).
Calculate inverse cosine: Now, we need to find the angle whose cosine is approximately 0.1447. We use the inverse cosine function to do this: ∠I≈cos−1(0.1447).Use a calculator to find the inverse cosine of 0.1447: ∠I≈cos−1(0.1447)≈81.7 degrees.
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