I am so lost with this problem. I have done it over and over and can not get it right.

Question

Find the indicated side x. (Use either the Law of Sines or the Law of Cosines, as appropriate. Assume a = 46 and c = 44. Round your answer to one decimal place

x = 1

Answer 1

It seems like you would have to use Law of Cosines. For this problem, that means:

x^2 = a^2 + c^2 - 2ac*cos(30)

So, x^2 = 46^2 + 44^2 - 2*46*44*cos(30). Simple calculation shows:

x^2 = 2116 + 1936 - 4048*cos(30).

Recall that cos(30) is approximately .866. If you are using a calculator, make sure you are in degree mode. If you are in radian mode, your answer will be way off.

So, x^2 = 546.329 From here, you just have to take the square root to find that x is approximately 23.4.