In the triangle, angle B 𝐵 is 52 degrees and angle A 𝐴 is 14 degrees. If side c has a length of 17 cm, use the Law of Sines to find the length of side b. Round your answer to the nearest centimeter. (1 point)

bc is a ca is b and ba is c

1 answer

To find the length of side \( b \) in the triangle using the Law of Sines, we first need to determine the measures of all angles in the triangle. We know:

  • \( A = 14^\circ \)
  • \( B = 52^\circ \)

We can find the third angle \( C \) using the fact that the sum of angles in a triangle is \( 180^\circ \):

\[ C = 180^\circ - A - B = 180^\circ - 14^\circ - 52^\circ = 114^\circ \]

Now we can use the Law of Sines, which states:

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

Given that side \( c = 17 \) cm, we can find side \( b \):

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

Substituting in the known values:

\[ \frac{b}{\sin 52^\circ} = \frac{17}{\sin 114^\circ} \]

First, we need the sine values:

  • \( \sin 52^\circ \) (approx. 0.788)
  • \( \sin 114^\circ = \sin (180^\circ - 66^\circ) = \sin 66^\circ \) (approx. 0.913)

Now, substituting these values into the equation:

\[ \frac{b}{0.788} = \frac{17}{0.913} \]

Cross-multiplying gives:

\[ b \cdot 0.913 = 17 \cdot 0.788 \]

Calculating the right side:

\[ b \cdot 0.913 = 13.396 \]

Now, solving for \( b \):

\[ b = \frac{13.396}{0.913} \approx 14.7 \]

Rounding to the nearest centimeter, we find:

\[ b \approx 15 \text{ cm} \]

Thus, the length of side \( b \) is approximately 15 cm.