Look at the triangle:

Question

A right angle triangle is shown with hypotenuse equal to 17 centimeters. An acute angle of the triangle is labeled as x degrees. The side adjacent to the acute angle has length 15 centimeters, and the side opposite to the acute angle has length 8 centimeters.

What is the value of cos x°?

8 ÷ 17
17 ÷ 8
15 ÷ 17
8 ÷ 15

Answer 1

To find the value of \( \cos x^\circ \) in the right triangle you've described, we can use the definition of the cosine function in relation to a right triangle.

The cosine of an angle in a right triangle is defined as the ratio of the length of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse. In this case, the adjacent side has a length of 15 cm, and the hypotenuse has a length of 17 cm.

Thus, we have:

\[ \cos x^\circ = \frac{\text{adjacent}}{\text{hypotenuse}} = \frac{15}{17} \]

So, the value of \( \cos x^\circ \) is \( \frac{15}{17} \). Therefore, the correct option is:

• 15 ÷ 17.