If an oblique triangle has side b=12 mm long, side c=14 mm long, ∠A=35 degrees, then what is the measure of side a to the nearest millimeter?(1 point)

a=
mm

1 answer

To find the length of side \( a \) in the oblique triangle, we can use the Law of Cosines. The Law states the following for a triangle with sides \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \) opposite to angles \( A \), \( B \), and \( C \), respectively:

\[ a^2 = b^2 + c^2 - 2bc \cdot \cos(A) \]

In this case, we are given:

  • \( b = 12 , \text{mm} \)
  • \( c = 14 , \text{mm} \)
  • \( A = 35^\circ \)

Now, we can substitute these values into the Law of Cosines formula:

\[ a^2 = 12^2 + 14^2 - 2 \cdot 12 \cdot 14 \cdot \cos(35^\circ) \]

Calculating each term step-by-step:

  1. Calculate \( 12^2 \): \[ 12^2 = 144 \]

  2. Calculate \( 14^2 \): \[ 14^2 = 196 \]

  3. Now calculate \( 2 \cdot 12 \cdot 14 \): \[ 2 \cdot 12 \cdot 14 = 336 \]

  4. Find \( \cos(35^\circ) \). Using a calculator, we get: \[ \cos(35^\circ) \approx 0.8192 \]

  5. Substitute all values into the equation: \[ a^2 = 144 + 196 - 336 \cdot 0.8192 \]

  6. Calculate \( 336 \cdot 0.8192 \): \[ 336 \cdot 0.8192 \approx 275.3867 \]

  7. Putting it all together: \[ a^2 = 144 + 196 - 275.3867 \approx 340 - 275.3867 \approx 64.6133 \]

  8. Finally, take the square root to find \( a \): \[ a \approx \sqrt{64.6133} \approx 8.04 , \text{mm} \]

Rounding to the nearest millimeter, we find: \[ a \approx 8 , \text{mm} \]

Thus, the measure of side \( a \) is approximately 8 mm.