Question

PLEASE HELP!! I really don't understand this...I just started learning about trigonometry and SOH CAH TOA and I think this probably has to do with that but I don't know how to apply it... Please explain this to me!!!! I need to know how to do it and not just the answer.

Triangle ABC has m<b = 54 degrees, b = 20cm, and a = 30cm. How many triangles are defined by these measures?

A. 0

B. 1

C. 2

D. not enough information


Thank you so much!!!!

Answer 1

Your probably made a sketch and have learned the sine law
If not, go to the construction part of my reply

using the sine law:

sinA/30 = sin54/20
sinA = 1.2135....

but that is not possible , since the sine of any angle has to be between -1 and 1
So there is no such triangle possible

OR

You might have been able to make a sketch, but when you actually attempt to draw this triangle, it can't be done.

Draw a base of 30 cm, (this will be BC)
use your protractor to draw angle B = 54 degrees, mark off AB and extend it some distance.
Set your compass at 20 cm, put your compass at C and draw an arc.
A would be the intersection of that arc and BA.
BUT as you will see it does not reach BA
Thus no triangle is possible

Answer 2

Ohhh I think I understand!! So that means that the answer would be 0, since no triangle is possible?? Thank you so much for explaining this to me!!

Answer 3

correct conclusion