An oblique triangle has sides of 17 cm and 28 cm. If the included angle measures 91 degrees, then what is the measure of the side opposite that angle? Round to the nearest whole number.

1 answer

To find the length of the side opposite the included angle in the oblique triangle, we can use the Law of Cosines. The Law of Cosines states:

\[ c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2ab \cdot \cos(C) \]

where:

  • \( c \) is the side opposite angle \( C \),
  • \( a \) and \( b \) are the lengths of the other two sides,
  • \( C \) is the included angle.

In this case:

  • \( a = 17 , \text{cm} \)
  • \( b = 28 , \text{cm} \)
  • \( C = 91^\circ \)

We can plug these values into the formula to find \( c \):

\[ c^2 = 17^2 + 28^2 - 2 \cdot 17 \cdot 28 \cdot \cos(91^\circ) \]

Calculating \( 17^2 \) and \( 28^2 \):

\[ 17^2 = 289 \] \[ 28^2 = 784 \]

Now substitute these into the equation:

\[ c^2 = 289 + 784 - 2 \cdot 17 \cdot 28 \cdot \cos(91^\circ) \]

Next, we compute \( \cos(91^\circ) \). Since \( 91^\circ \) is very close to \( 90^\circ \), it is slightly negative. Using a calculator, we find:

\[ \cos(91^\circ) \approx -0.015 \]

Now substituting this value into the equation:

\[ c^2 = 289 + 784 - 2 \cdot 17 \cdot 28 \cdot (-0.015) \]

Calculating \( 2 \cdot 17 \cdot 28 \):

\[ 2 \cdot 17 \cdot 28 = 952 \]

Now, substituting back:

\[ c^2 = 289 + 784 + 952 \cdot 0.015 \] \[ c^2 = 289 + 784 + 14.28 \] \[ c^2 = 1073.28 \]

Now, take the square root to find \( c \):

\[ c = \sqrt{1073.28} \approx 32.8 \]

Rounding to the nearest whole number gives us:

\[ c \approx 33 , \text{cm} \]

Therefore, the measure of the side opposite the 91-degree angle is approximately:

\[ \boxed{33} , \text{cm} \]