To find the area \( A \) of triangle \( ABC \) using the formula:
\[ A = \frac{1}{2} a b \sin C \]
we will plug in the values:
- \( a = 16 \) inches
- \( b = 18 \) inches
- \( C = 43^\circ \)
First, we calculate \( \sin(43^\circ) \). Using a calculator, we find:
\[ \sin(43^\circ) \approx 0.6820 \]
Now we can substitute these values into the area formula:
\[ A = \frac{1}{2} \times 16 \times 18 \times \sin(43^\circ) \]
Calculating it step by step:
- Calculate \( \frac{1}{2} \times 16 \times 18 \):
\[ \frac{1}{2} \times 16 = 8 \]
\[ 8 \times 18 = 144 \]
- Now, multiply by \( \sin(43^\circ) \):
\[ A = 144 \times 0.6820 \approx 98.208 \]
Therefore, the area \( A \) to the nearest square inch is:
\[ \boxed{98} \text{ inches}^2 \]
So the correct response is 98 inchesΒ².