Use the stated variant of the Law of Cosines, b2=a2+c2−2ac⋅cosB , to find the value of side b in a right triangle, where a=3 , c=5 , and B=53.13 . Round your answer to the nearest whole number.(1 point)

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1 answer

To find the value of side \( b \) in a right triangle using the Law of Cosines, given \( a = 3 \), \( c = 5 \), and \( B = 53.13^\circ \), we use the formula:

\[ b^2 = a^2 + c^2 - 2ac \cdot \cos(B) \]

Now, we can plug in the given values:

\[ b^2 = 3^2 + 5^2 - 2 \cdot 3 \cdot 5 \cdot \cos(53.13^\circ) \]

Calculating \( 3^2 \) and \( 5^2 \):

\[ 3^2 = 9 \quad \text{and} \quad 5^2 = 25 \]

So,

\[ b^2 = 9 + 25 - 2 \cdot 3 \cdot 5 \cdot \cos(53.13^\circ) \]

Next, calculate \( 2 \cdot 3 \cdot 5 = 30 \), therefore:

\[ b^2 = 34 - 30 \cdot \cos(53.13^\circ) \]

Now we need to find \( \cos(53.13^\circ) \). The cosine of \( 53.13^\circ \) is approximately \( 0.6 \).

Using this value:

\[ b^2 = 34 - 30 \cdot 0.6 \]

Calculating \( 30 \cdot 0.6 = 18 \):

\[ b^2 = 34 - 18 \] \[ b^2 = 16 \]

Finally, taking the square root to find \( b \):

\[ b = \sqrt{16} = 4 \]

Rounding to the nearest whole number:

\[ b = 4 \]

So, the value of side \( b \) is \(\boxed{4}\).