In triangle XYZ, angle X is 60 degrees, angle Y is 50 degrees, and side y (opposite angle Y) is 12 units long. What is the length of side z (opposite angle Z)?(2 points)

Responses

15.0
15.0

12.98
12.98

8.0
8.0

10.39
10.39

1 answer

To find the length of side \( z \) (which is opposite angle \( Z \)), we can use the Law of Sines. According to this law:

\[ \frac{a}{\sin A} = \frac{b}{\sin B} = \frac{c}{\sin C} \]

In triangle XYZ, we have:

  • \( \angle X = 60^\circ \)
  • \( \angle Y = 50^\circ \)

First, we can calculate \( \angle Z \):

\[ \angle Z = 180^\circ - \angle X - \angle Y = 180^\circ - 60^\circ - 50^\circ = 70^\circ \]

Now we know:

  • \( \angle Y = 50^\circ \)
  • Side \( y \) (opposite \( Y \)) = 12
  • \( \angle Z = 70^\circ \)
  • Side \( z \) (opposite \( Z \)) is what we're solving for.

Using the Law of Sines:

\[ \frac{y}{\sin Y} = \frac{z}{\sin Z} \]

Substituting in the values we have:

\[ \frac{12}{\sin(50^\circ)} = \frac{z}{\sin(70^\circ)} \]

Now calculate \( \sin(50^\circ) \) and \( \sin(70^\circ) \):

  • \( \sin(50^\circ) \approx 0.7660 \)
  • \( \sin(70^\circ) \approx 0.9397 \)

Now we can substitute these values back into our equation:

\[ \frac{12}{0.7660} = \frac{z}{0.9397} \]

Cross-multiply to solve for \( z \):

\[ 12 \cdot 0.9397 = z \cdot 0.7660 \]

Calculating the left side:

\[ 12 \cdot 0.9397 \approx 11.2764 \]

Now solve for \( z \):

\[ z = \frac{11.2764}{0.7660} \approx 14.74 \]

Rounding gives us approximately \( 15.0 \).

Thus, the length of side \( z \) is approximately \( 15.0 \).

So the answer is:

15.0